Round 11– First loss since…2024?!, Big Dog loose on the Ladder, and Not-Quite-There Nelson Bay

Round 11– First loss since…2024?!, Big Dog loose on the Ladder, and Not-Quite-There Nelson Bay

Written by Oliver Croft

Men’s Cup

It was a team that everyone grappled with, but no one could defeat. Week after week, team after team, by big margin to small margin, everyone in the competition fronted up against Newcastle City without fear in 2025, and all walked away, defeated. Except one. That one is the Warners Bay Bulldogs, who stand on top of the world after delivering Newcastle City their first loss since Round 12, 2024, by a solid 16 points, away, at No. 1 Sportsground. No one expected the Bulldogs to break through, but if their Round 1 score line was anything to predict by, it was going to be close with their last encounter ending 10 points City’s way. The Bulldogs returned 9 rounds later and forcefully reminded the competition that any team can win on any day, and that City don’t hold court the way they’d always like to in the Men’s Cup. It also sends a big message to the competition: The Bulldogs are barking towards a Grand Final. They’ve stood tall against teams when they’ve needed it most, first Nelson Bay, and now the Premiers. The Bulldogs are ticking off teams they need to if September looks serious for them.

But don’t be fooled, because these two have equally difficult fixtures this weekend. For City, long time Grand Final Rivals Terrigal Avoca await eager and snarling. They demolished Nelson Bay by 85 points in a roaring home crowd atmosphere, showing that they also want a Top 4 spot, and badly after slipping to the Hawks in Round 9 by 26 points. It’s Newcastle City vs Terrigal Avoca, once again in a 1^st vs 2^nd Showdown. Gear up for a massive clash at Hylton Moore Oval from 2.00PM. Will Terrigal stumble when they need it most, or will Newcastle City’s composure begin to slip as the season drags on?

On the other hand, Warners Bay, the new stakeholders of 3^rd position on the ladder, face a desperate Killarney Vale side, who have face a massive consistency puzzle, with 5 losses and 3 wins. They beat the Maitland Saints in Maitland last weekend to stay in 6^th position. Brandon Lloyd did the heavy lifting for the Bombers kicking 4 in their forward line. However, the final margin was only 53 points, with 16 behinds proving the difference between a bigger margin. This weekend their back at the Hangar, Adelaide Street Oval, from 2.30PM onwards, ready to bash around with the Bulldogs.

At Cardiff, the Hawks are soaring after beating Bateau Bay by 20 points on their last home fixture until late July. At the main change just 10 points separated the sides the way of Bateau Bay, but the Hawks flew to the safety of a win in their annual Pride Round. The weather was misty and being a 3.00PM fixture saw the sunset and a beautiful rainbow appear across the skies.

Cardiff now front up against Nelson Bay, and the Marlins? Struggling in 4^th position. For the second week running, they’ve faced a Top 4 team and fallen short, first to Warners Bay, then to the Panthers. Now, they’re back home at Dick Burwell Oval for their 2.00PM meeting with the Cardiff Hawks, the 2024 Grand Finalists we’re slowly seeing glimpses of. The Hawks are a team that are eager to stand in the Top 4, and so is Nelson Bay. This weekend it’s the 4^th Placed Marlins, taking on the 5^th placed Hawks. Their last meeting? 7 points way of the Marlins. This clash? A test of Consistency, determination and ladder positioning. Both teams desperately want the Top 4. Who edges out who?

The final Men’s Cup clash between Bateau Bay and Maitland might not be a top-of-the-table blockbuster, but it’s shaping up to be a gritty, do-or-die battle between two sides desperate to find some form.

Both teams sit on one win apiece and ironically, those wins have come against each other. Maitland took the honours in their most recent meeting, scraping past Bateau Bay with a tighter, more disciplined performance. But with Bateau now back on home turf, pride is on the line and the Bay boys know this is a game they have to win to lift themselves out of the bottom-end slump.

They’ve got it in them. They nearly beat Cardiff last week away. Both need a win. What’s your tip?

You’ve just got to love Men’s Cup footy. Unpredictable every round, and we wouldn’t have it any different.

Women’s Cup

After being thrashed 166–0 by Cardiff last week, Bateau Bay relax with the bye. Don’t write them off entirely: they’re still one of the most unpredictable and entertaining teams to watch. They’ll rest and regroup to hold that Top 4 spot.

Cardiff are soaring. Undefeated, polished, and absolutely dominant in their demolition of Bateau Bay, the Hawks look every bit the Women’s Cup Premiership favourites. But here come the Roosters, fresh off their first win of the year in a low scoring contest against Terrigal. Could that confidence fuel a huge upset? It’s a stretch… but footy can be like that.

City are flying high in second, dropping just one game all season, and they’ll be keen to have a go at an inconsistent Terrigal outfit. The Panthers have stumbled mid-year, losing five to date, and need to find their rhythm fast. City are slick, strong, and hunting finals form. But they are away…City’s only loss came when they were away.

Killarney Vale are the reigning champs and are looking a little wobbly in form. With fresh legs from the bye and momentum building, they’ll be eyeing a big scalp. The Doggies missed a golden chance last week against City, and need to win those fixtures to stay in finals form. Now Terrigal face a serious test. If they want to be finals threats; they’ll need to win this one.

With so much footy on offer, it’s another entertaining weekend on the AFLHCC!