Round 4 – Kicking into Round 4 After a Special ANZAC Round and a Big Win for Our First Printed Record
Written by Oliver Croft
Round 4 of the AFL Hunter Central Coast is here, footy fans, and it arrives off the back of one of the most memorable weekends our competition has seen.
Round 3’s ANZAC round was a huge success across all matches. From the traditional ANZAC Day clash between the Cardiff Hawks and Warners Bay Bulldogs at Pasterfield Sports Complex, to the last of Saturday’s games, players delivered intense on-field battles that honoured the spirit of courage, mateship, and sacrifice. Clubs across the league came together to pay their respects in front of strong crowds, creating an atmosphere that will be remembered for a long time.
But it wasn’t just the on-field action that made history last weekend. On ANZAC Day at Pasterfield , we launched a printed edition of On the Mark and the response from players, supporters, and club officials was fantastic. This was the first printed match record in more than three years, and free copies were snapped up quickly. I really enjoyed writing and designing this edition, and we’re looking forward to producing more for upcoming feature rounds. The printed record gave fans a fresh way to connect with the competition, featuring club stats, analysis, trivia and scorecards to fill in at the back. Big thanks to everyone who grabbed a copy!
Now the focus shifts to Round 4 – where one month into the season and teams are beginning to find their rhythm, with every match beginning to count that little bit more. This round will reveal who crumbles under the heat… and who rises above it to make their mark.
Men’s Cup
The start of the Men’s Cup Season has been unpredictable, with some of last year’s lower ranked teams pulling off upsets or narrowing margins that were tipped to be blowouts. And this weekend, the stakes only get higher, with unfinished business on the line.
The first Men’s Cup fixture takes us to Passage Road, the home of the feisty Bateau Bay Blues. At 3.00pm, Bateau Bay host Killarney Vale in a match that could mark a turning point for either team. The Bombers started the year with back-to-back home games at Adelaide Street Oval They were narrowly beaten by rivals the Cardiff Hawks in Round 1, a tough loss after a strong showing. However, confidence was not diminished, and they showed up in Round 2 to take on the reigning premiers, Newcastle City. Despite their determination they couldn’t match the blues, and they lost by 50 points at full time. Now with the Easter long weekend behind them and the ANZAC Round bye, the red and black are ready to soar once again in Round 4. Only a minor percentage differentiation is keeping Killarney Vale off the bottom of the Men’s Cup ladder, just ahead of Maitland Saints. It will be a contest filled with fire and the grit to win because on the other side, Bateau Bay needs to mount a comeback of their own. Bateau Bay started strong with a win against Maitland, but now head into round 4 off the back of two straight losses. They went down to Warners Bay Bulldogs by 34 points, then copped a heavier blow at No. 1 Sports Ground against Newcastle City last week, who defeated them by 58 points. Back at home with the crowd on their side and the need for a win; the Blues sit forth on the ladder, but their sights must be set higher for a finals chance. Two Central Coast teams that need a win to stay afloat in this unforgiving competition. Only one can walk away with the points.
Back up in Newcastle, it’s the Cardiff Hawks versus the Maitland Saints at Pasterfield Sports Complex, and for last year’s grand finalists, their season is in early disarray, and not the way they wanted to start 2025. With only one win under their belt, and only six of their grand final players playing in Round 2, Cardiff are rebuilding with fresh faces in the lineup and currently sit fifth on the ladder, just edged out of fourth by the Bateau Bay Blues. Will the feel of a home ground help the Hawks to their second win of the season? ANZAC Day was a terrific occasion at the Hawks Nest, with crowds to rival Grand Final Day. The Men’s Plate, the Women’s Cup and then the Men’s Cup were all back-to-back on a terrific day of footy. We were also lucky enough to experience our very own AFL Hunter Central Coast ANZAC Ceremony. The home crowd was hoping for a Hawks win, but it was not to be as the Warners Bay Bulldogs jumped the Hawks. Last ANZAC Day, the margin was just 17 points, the difference the way of the Bulldogs. This year, the Hawks found their margin nearly doubled at 30 points, 83 to 53. Maitland on the other hand, are igniting a comeback, as only Saints can do. The Saints are the Hawks opponents at 3:00pm on Saturday afternoon; and sitting bottom of the table, yet to win a game. It will only be our third look at the Saints. But will it be a look at their first win? Maitland showed signs of great football at home last weekend against the Terrigal Avoca Panthers, yet their 41 points did not compare to the 110 Terrigal added up during the 4 quarters.
Finally, the blockbuster match of the weekend arrives under lights at No. 1 Sports Ground from 3:00pm onwards. We’ll see the ladder-leading Terrigal Avoca Panthers make their way up the highway to meet the homebound power of the reigning premiers, the Newcastle City Blues, who have dominated the competition from Round 1 and hold three consecutive wins. Newcastle City have been ruthless. Their Round 1 clash was a tight one, winning by only 10 points against the Bulldogs on foreign soil. Then it was a trip down the coast and made a statement – winning by 50 points. In Anzac Round, they were bound for their home ground, the first time they had been there since winning the Premiership last September. The crowds were not disappointed, the Bateau Bay Blues going down 84 to 26 in ruthless fashion. Thanks to their Round 1 bye, we’ve only seen two games from the Panthers, but they have been outstanding to say the least. In Round 2 they demolished Cardiff by 62 points at Hylton More Oval. Last week they travelled up the highway to meet the Maitland Saints and won by 69 points; 110 to 41. If Terrigal have done their homework, they’ll know that goal accuracy has been a bit of a hurdle for Newcastle City. City started strong in Round 1 with 11 goals and just 4 behinds, but since then, the missed opportunities have crept in. Against Killarney Vale in Round 2, they kicked 12 behinds, and again in Round 3 against Bateau Bay, they racked up another 12. This weekend, accuracy will be key — because Terrigal play fast, play big, and aren’t shy about piling on a high score. So far this year, they haven’t won a game by less than 60 points. Expect a high scoring, fast and furious clash from these two sides.
Women’s Cup
If there was ever a weekend to showcase just how dominant, unpredictable, and electrifying the Women’s Cup can be, this was it! All three games ended in 100-plus points demolitions, sending the message that this season is going to be ruthless. Adding up the winning margins from the round you get a 424-point weekend. With the 2024 Finalists running riot over the competition, one thing is certain, this season is shaping up to be a contested thriller. The Women’s Cup isn’t just heating up – it’s already on fire. And we’re only getting started.
Round 4 requires teams to regroup, reset, and bring ruthless energy if they want to stay in the race. It’s not just about winning — it’s about making a statement, proving you can bounce back, and showing the competition you’re still a force to be reckoned with. It all begins on Saturday, 1.00pm, at Passage Road Oval, with Bateau Bay vs Killarney Vale. Amongst a weekend of heavy defeats, the Bateau Bay women stood tall in their own way. They were the only defeated team to hit the scoreboard, managing a singular behind. But they will need to show more strength to keep their season afloat, because City turned the tide on Bateau Bay in a way they weren’t ready for. Meanwhile, Killarney Vale delivered a masterclass on home turf, putting the competition on notice with a stunning 166-point performance. From the opening bounce, they were relentless, dominating the contest, moving the ball with speed and precision, and piling on goal after goal in front of a roaring home crowd. It wasn’t just a win; it was a statement. The premiers reminded everyone what premiers do best. Now, their focus sharpens as they prepare to take on Bateau Bay. It’s a matchup full of intrigue.
The threat of Newcastle City looms large for Terrigal Avoca, as on Saturday they are forced to make their way up the highway to No. 1 Sportsground, to play a team who stacked on 131 points and sit top of the Women’s Cup ladder. Terrigal Avoca have had a mixed start to the season – losing by 76 points, winning by 76 points and sitting out a bye, leaving them 4th on the ladder. City have been nothing short of dominant so far in 2025, stringing together three wins and blowing teams away with massive margins. Their pace, power, and polished ball movement have made them the benchmark of the competition, and they’ll enter this clash with confidence sky-high and their sights firmly set on a month of victory. But Terrigal won’t be rolling over easily. Fresh off a bye, they’ve had time to reset and recharge. This is a golden chance to stamp themselves as genuine contenders going up against the navy powerhouse. Terrigal’s best footy has already shown flashes of brilliance, and if they can bring four quarters of intensity, they’ll back themselves to challenge City’s winning streak.
With one team flying and the other desperate to launch; strap in because this one could be a classic.
Finally, footy fans charge back to the Kennell to cheer give their teams a much-needed boost for 2025. It’s Warners Bay vs Singleton Roosters, from 2.00pm. Unfortunately, both teams find themselves in early disarray for 2025.
After another disappointing weekend, both the Roosters and the Warners Bay Bulldogs find themselves winless in 2025.
It’s not just about losing. Every team has its tough days but it’s how they bounce back is what matters. But we haven’t seen it – yet.
It’s 6th vs 7th, and the desperation to get their seasons off the ground with a win is insurmountable to say the least. On ANZAC Day, Warners Bay were demolished by the Hawks, Warners Bay walking off with defeat once more, 128 points to nothing, an 11-point improvement from last year’s 0-139 score line. Once one win comes through, the rest will hopefully follow.
Cardiff sit 2nd on the table and had a terrific start to the season. This weekend, the marron and yellow will be enjoying a well-timed bye that has allowed them to recharge and refocus. With a solid foundation already in place, and only the one loss and two wins, they’ll make the most of their break, ensuring consistency for the upcoming challenges. The Hawks look to continue building momentum and assert their dominance in the competition in Round 5, when they come up against old foes and premiers, Killarney Vale. Killarney Vale were Cardiff’s only loss so far, and a bounce back against the Bombers is long overdue.
ANZAC Best On Ground
At Pasterfield on ANZAC Day, Warners Bay took on Cardiff in their traditional ANZAC Day Clash across the Men’s Plate, Women’s Cup and Men’s Cup. The match was a fitting tribute to the ANZAC spirit, with both sides playing with passion, grit, and determination. The atmosphere was electric, drawing in fans who were treated to an unforgettable contest. It’s a fixture that continues to grow in significance each year, honouring the sacrifices made while delivering a thrilling display of footy.
The scores pointed the majority to Cardiff, who achieved a win in the Men’s Plate and Women’s Cup. Warners Bay emerged winners in the Men’s Cup contest.
The ANZAC Round Best on Ground medals are awarded to standout players, chosen by the umpires, for their exceptional performances in the Cardiff vs Warners Bay clash. It’s a true honour to receive this recognition. The Warners Bay Bulldogs claimed 2 of the 3 medals, with the following players earning the prestigious awards.
Men’s Plate – Izaac Smith, Warners Bay
Women’s Cup – Savannah Newton, Cardiff Hawks
Men’s Cup – Zachary Lauritsen, Warners Bay
Warners Bay had this to say on their Instagram about their club achievements:
“@warnersbaybulldogsafl ANZAC Day
The Doggies were well represented in the post-game awards this round, with 2 out of 3 ANZAC Day Best on Ground medals presented to our players.
Zachary Lauritsen made it back-to-back medals, backing up his medal from 2024 with another gun performance in 2025. Churchy continues to prove himself as one of the best players in the competition.
In his first year of senior footy after only one season of u/13s, Izaac Smith has already made an impact in the Plate men’s team. The field hockey convert was voted best on ground in just his second senior game.”
Savannah Newton was alternately interviewed at quarter time of the Men’s Cup game by me, where she revealed what an honour it was to play on ANZAC Day. Watch exclusive on Bar TV.
We’re one month into the footy season, and every clash has delivered. Will the winless stay winless, or will the underdogs rise to the occasion? Round 4, 2025, begins on Saturday, May 4th. Be there and be part of the matches that will shape the 2025 season.
