Round 14 – Saints So Close, Bulldog vs Big Cat – Clash of The Round, Bateau Bay’s Best, and Happy Gilmore Oliver Gilmour kicks 4 for the Premiers.
Round 14 – Saints So Close,
Bulldog vs Big Cat – Clash of The Round, Bateau Bay’s Best, and Happy Gilmore Oliver Gilmour kicks 4 for the Premiers.
Written by Oliver Croft
Round 13 was an intriguing one. The Top 4 sides faced teams they’d previously underperformed against – or defeated by increasingly larger margins. Many were curious to see whose defence would hold firm and whose forward line would convert under pressure, as we count down the final four rounds before finals. Right now, the ladder isn’t just about positions one through four – it’s about the top five, and who can truly stake their claim for finals footy.
Men’s Cup
Newcastle City all but have the Minor Premiership wrapped up for another year. They flexed their true form once more at home, beating Nelson Bay by 57 points, with Oliver Gilmour slotting four for the Blues.
Warners Bay look likely to round out second place. They haven’t lost a game since Round 5, but last weekend they found themselves under siege early in their Round 13 clash against the Maitland Saints. At half time, the Saints entered the sheds jubilant with a 19-point lead over the Bulldogs and looked on course for a massive upset. Once again, the dependable Mark Dignam led the way for the Dogs, slotting three goals. When the final siren rang out, the Bulldogs had flipped their 19-point deficit into a 19-point win over Maitland.
But here’s where it gets interesting.
Currently in third place, Terrigal Avoca are lurking – dangerous, but inconsistent. They thrashed the Hawks last week, gaining a valuable percentage boost. They’re looking solid for finals and maybe even a deep run, but their remaining opponents are big ones: Warners Bay, Maitland, Nelson Bay, and Newcastle City. Three of those four sit in the Top 4. Can the Panthers battle it out for a home final? This week’s clash – Panther vs Bulldog at Panther-land – is massive. It was Terrigal Avoca who handed Warners Bay their last loss of this season. Now, so close to finals, the stakes are even higher. Terrigal could claim a huge scalp. It’s the kind of footy that stands out from the rest of the round.
Currently in fourth on the ladder, are Nelson Bay. The Marlins’ challenge? Beating a Top 4 team. So far, they’ve fallen to Terrigal, Warners Bay, and Newcastle City. It’s a trend they’ll need to break as the final four rounds approach. Their run home includes Killarney Vale, Bateau Bay, Terrigal, and Warners Bay – a tough stretch. Can the Reserve Grade Champions rise to the occasion and take down the competition’s heaviest hitters? Can they hold their finals position and be ready for September?
On the other side of the coin, in fifth, Killarney Vale are circling. This weekend, the Bombers face Nelson Bay in a clash that could decide fourth place. But Killarney Vale must keep winning. Warners Bay, Maitland, and Bateau Bay are waiting to test them. If the Bombers can beat Nelson Bay at home, upset Warners Bay, and secure strong wins over Maitland and Bateau Bay, we could see them in September. The Bomber belief is pulsing hard in Round 14.
Then there’s Cardiff. Their path to finals is steeper. They face Bateau Bay, City, Bateau Bay again, and Maitland – all away games. If the Hawks can sweep their final four games and Killarney Vale stumble, Cardiff could sneak into an Elimination Final. But can we picture the Hawks on Grand Final Day again? How far can they go in 2025? It’s exciting that many teams are still in the mix for finals, even with only two spots up for grabs.
That leaves Maitland. The Saints have just two wins in 2025 – both against Bateau Bay. It’s been a tough year, but they’ve shown fight and signs of improvement that bode well for 2026. Construction at Max McMahon is well underway, and the future – on and off the field – looks bright. The question is: can they steal one more win in 2025? Their remaining opponents are City (1st), Terrigal (3rd), Killarney Vale (5th), and Cardiff (6th).
Bateau Bay finds themselves in a familiar position – with just two wins over Maitland. But there’s a twist. Cardiff. The last time these two met, the margin was just 20 points, with neither side able to break away. Now, Cardiff and Bateau Bay will meet twice in three weeks, both games at home for the Hawks. Is an upset brewing? A classic Cardiff vs Bateau Bay clash could be on the cards. And Bateau Bay? They’ve got every chance to win both.
Women’s Cup
Just the two fixtures unfolded after Singleton forfeited their clash with Newcastle City on Saturday.
Cardiff made light work of the Panthers, with the Panthers leaving nothing on the scorecard but naughts. There was just the one inside 50 for the Panters, which reflected how their season has unfolded. From Preliminary Finalists to 7th, Terrigal has struggled. But even the fiercest hunters go through a storm too strong to hunt through.
Cardiff is left with one danger game before Finals: Newcastle City. They beat them last time; but Cardiff’s winning streak in the Women’s Cup is the longest across Men’s and Women’s Cup. Will the pressure before finals see the Hawks stumble? They have a Round 17 bye, perfect before Finals. But can the Hawks hold strong against the foes, on away turf as well?
Premiers Killarney Vale demolished Bateau Bay, by 154 points last weekend. Maybe, we’ll see them on the Grand Final stage again? It is exciting times at the Hangar.
Whilst City rest with the bye, Terrigal play Warners Bay. Cardiff will play Bateau Bay who are fourth. The Bulldogs are 5th, and if the Hawks beat Bateau, and the Doggies capitalise on the Panthers, they could be welcomed to Finals with warm arms. Or have they left their run too late? Margins and fixtures play a massive part in the Bulldog’s Finals Campaign. After Terrigal it’s Killarney Vale, Newcastle City and Singleton, one after the other for the Bulldogs. With recent form against these top sides, Warners Bay will need to launch every footballing weapon they have and hope that Bateau Bay will stumble against their last 4 opponents: Cardiff, Singleton, Terrigal and Killarney Vale.
Singleton will host the Killarney Vale Bombers at home on the weekend. Killarney Vale come into the match as reigning premiers and competition heavyweights. With their polished midfield, smart ball movement, and deadly forward entries, the Bombers will be looking to assert dominance early and maintain their momentum heading into finals.
But don’t count Singleton out. The Roosters have been building quietly, and on their home turf, they’ll be hungry to prove a point and claim one more win before the season is out.
The AFLHCC is buzzing with anticipation as ladder spots are swapped and Finals edge nearer; and you can bet On The Mark will have all your stats and analysis covered! You’ve got to love local footy!
