Round 10 – The BIGGEST UPSET, Magical Maitland, Bulldogs Bark, and Premiers Play Hard-Ball
Round 10 – The BIGGEST UPSET, Magical Maitland, Bulldogs Bark, and Premiers Play Hard-Ball
Written by Oliver Croft
What a weekend!!! I’m sure I was one of the many footy fans that were on the edge of their seat last weekend; because Round 9 on the AFLHCC delivered a round of footy no one saw coming. The underdogs rose, favourites fell, and scoreboards lit up with shock results and massive wins. It only means one thing: the race for finals has tightened, and teams are throwing it all at their opponents.
So who had the biggest upset, what made Maitland so magical, the Bulldogs barked loud and the Premiers played hard ball!
Men’s Cup
Where to begin? The Men’s Cup fixture delivered one of the most unpredictable rounds of AFL we’ve seen so far this season.
It was the perfect story. The Reserve Grade elevated heroes: Nelson Bay, taking on a hardened Bulldogs outfit. It was the first Top 4 team The Marlins had come up against in 2025, as well as their first home game at Dick Burwell Oval. This was where our most sought-after question would finally be answered: how does the Marlins’ Plate pressure compare to that of a Top 4 Men’s Cup contender?
At the final change, there were just five points in it – the lead belonging to the Marlins. The Bulldogs had given up a solid advantage, but the Marlins couldn’t break through. In the end, they were defeated by five points – a significant and telling win for the Warners Bay Bulldogs, who now look ready to rumble come September. The Marlins showed flashes of excellence in their forward line, with three-goal hauls from Mitchell Hall and Wayd Blackburne. At the other end, Zac Munz and Mark Dignam led the way for the Doggies – Munz booting three (a slight drop from the five he kicked last week against Maitland), while Dignam added two goals.
Warners Bay sit solidly in the Top 4, as do Nelson Bay, who hold 2nd place and will need a strong win in their away clash with Terrigal. Warners Bay now prepare to face Newcastle City – the reigning premiers. Their last meeting? Just a 10-point win to the Blues.
Now, under the lights at No. 1 Sportsground in a 3:00pm fixture, suspense builds. Can the Doggies pull off a massive upset against the premiership favourites?
In a low-scoring affair at Pasterfield, a stat no one saw coming loomed large. Cardiff defeated Terrigal Avoca by 26 points and now sit 5th on the ladder. The Hawks have pulled off an upset against a Top 4 team… could this be the start of a late charge to September? A shake-off of their slow start to the season? A chance to shake up the standings — or maybe even go all the way? Ryan Bonham had a stand-out performance, booting five goals to help the Hawks soar on home turf. Their next three matchups are all about the Bay: Bateau Bay, Nelson Bay, and Warners Bay. A potential win over the Bay Blues could spark real momentum, just in time for a rematch with Nelson Bay — who edged them by 7 points last time — and a clash with ANZAC Day rivals, Warners Bay. The Hawk could well and truly be soaring.
The Panther? Down, but not out. Still comfortably in third position, they take on the team above them on the table: Nelson Bay; at home. With just two losses this season – one to each of the 2024 Grand Finalists – the Panthers will be looking to bounce back and reignite their threatening campaign. In Round 9 they led all game up until the final siren, when they fell short. The Panthers will need to bring their A-Game for their next three clashes against Nelson Bay, Newcastle City and Killarney Vale.
Speaking of City and Killarney Vale – a whitewash unfolded at No. 1 Sportsground in Round 9. The premiers played hard-ball with the promising Bombers, dismantling them 132–10. Jordan Canobie kicked the Bombers’ only goal, while Jordan Dear — the Tractor — powered through with five majors for the Blues. The Bombers, once poised inside the Top 4 after three straight wins, now sink to 6th following Cardiff’s upset and will need some soul-searching to rediscover their form and reignite their September hopes. The reining premiers are favourites once again and they’ll face Warners Bay next weekend.
Finally, on the Central Coast, 7th and 8th went head to head; Bateau Bay vs Maitland. The result? A Maitland upset! Many thought the Saints would struggle to find a game this year after their earlier defeat to the Bay Blues in Round 1, but they came out hard and heavy. Billy Ellis got the Saints off to a fast start, booting their opening goal. By quarter time, Maitland had surged to a 28-point lead, with Bateau Bay kicking only a single behind. The Bay Blues fought back through Scott Reed, who finished with three goals, and at the final change the margin was 20 points. But the Ellis brothers, Billy and Jack, proved the difference in the end; combining for four goals and two behinds to seal the Saint’s first win of 2025. Bateau Bay now find themselves in mid-season disarray with 9 rounds without a win.
The Men’s Cup competition is exciting to say the least! We’re loving every bit of it! Will the Premiers continue their dominance this weekend? Or will the underdogs rise?
With Maitland’s win the circle of parity is nearly complete for 2025. All that remains? An undefeated Newcastle city side!
Women’s Cup
Herald the news from Nelson Bay, to Maitland, to Gosford and every club in between, because the Warners Bay Bulldogs pulled off a big upset on the weekend! Securing their third win of the season, the Bulldogs took down a promising Terrigal outfit by 18 points and now perch on the edge of the Top 4, swapping spots with their weekend opponents. Amy Pittman led her troops valiantly – and did her own stats justice – booting three of their five goals, as the Doggies flipped the script on the Panthers. Just four weeks ago, Terrigal walked away 19-point winners. This week, they walk away sitting at two wins and four losses. Can the Doggies surge to September ring true? They play Newcastle City this weekend in a monumental clash…can they capitalise on another team’s wavering form? Terrigal face a winless Singleton side at home, and could use a handy win…or will the Roosters from Singleton, who lost to Terrigal in Round 1 by 87 points find glory?
The Bombers hit some rough turbulence at Cameron Park going down by 24 points in a big win for the Hawks which saw them steal top spot over their rivals Newcastle City, who rested with a bye. The Hawks could be in position for Grand Final redemption, with just one loss in Round 1, and a minor premiership might also be on the cards… that is if they can hold high percentages. Against Bateau Bay on Saturday, you’d expect the Hawks to go in as favourites… but don’t count the Bombers out. Bateau Bay sit 4th, dangerous and full of energy. They’re also fresh off a 24-point dismantling of Singleton – and hungry for their first-ever Women’s Cup premiership.
Killarney Vale have a bye, which they’ll need as their season takes an unwanted dip; 4 wins and 4 losses. The premiers haven’t fallen from grace: yet, but they will need to soar against Warners Bay in Round 11 if they’re serious about a second finals chance, or a second premiership.
The Women’s Cup Top 4 is narrowing, and teams will have to pull out elite performances and skill to show the competition, they’re not mucking around.
Round 10: Big time Bulldogs, a happy team at Cardiff, and big clashes!
