Round 5 – Monumental Marlins, Sky-High Bombers and Super Soaker Saturdays on the AFLHCC

Round 5 – Monumental Marlins, Sky-High Bombers and Super Soaker Saturdays on the AFLHCC

Written by Oliver Croft

As clouds gathered and boots hit the turf, Round 5 of the AFL Hunter Central Coast was nothing short of the jig saw puzzle we expected, with teams having to fit in here, there and everywhere to get a game in due to persistent rain falls. However, under the persistence and determination of our great league, all fixtures went ahead in the Men’s Cup, and only one game was cancelled in the Women’s Cup. It was also the first of an annual two-week cycle that celebrates Sir Doug Nicholls Round, honouring our Indigenous Culture on the AFLHCC. We celebrated this round with another printed record that was handed out at Bateau Bay, with plenty of copies being taken home for a read. Our next printed edition will spotlight Newcastle City for their Pride Round in Round 7 at No. 1 Sportsground. Additional printed copies will also be available during other clubs’ Pride Round celebrations, on a week of their choosing.

On the field, ladders shook, and underdogs circled their prey. The Marlin’s Cup debut was monumental at Bateau Bay, the Bombers are sky high, the Hawks Women’s team dispel the rumours of a Grand Final hangover, and the Roosters desperately need a win.

On Thursday afternoon the call was made by the AFLHCC that Round 6 would be washed out and has been rescheduled to the 12^th of July, with ovals being turned into swimming pools. This rainfall is part of a broader weather system impacting New South Wales, leading to widespread flooding and numerous emergency responses. The NSW State Emergency Service has conducted over 350 rescues, with nearly 50,000 residents isolated due to floodwaters .

Stay safe and heed any local emergency services’ advice during this period of severe weather.

So with football off the cards for what’s scheduled to be a sunny Saturday, we’re left with the On The Mark Round 5 Review.

 

Men’s Cup

 

The Nelson Bay Marlins travelled down the highway last weekend to Bateau Bay, ready to either continue a dominant streak and show the competition why they were here or remind us of the cold gap between tiers. A strong Bateau Bay side awaited the Marlins with Men’s Cup experience and promise in hand. A new and improved version of ‘Battle of the Bays’ was instated as the two teams locked horns hard for their first match up. In the 3 quarter break scores were tightened to vice like margins, but in the end the Marlins were far too strong for the Blues, and they won 14.11 95 to 9.4 58 . Scenes of elation followed the final siren as the Marlins swum their way to their first Men’s Cup win of 2025. The Marlins now sit 3^rd on the ladder, behind the Panthers and in front of the Bulldogs. For Bateau Bay, their one win holds them off the bottom of the ladder and in 7^th, with 4 consecutive losses.

 

Due to weather, Maitland and Newcastle travelled down for a twilight clash at Bateau Bay. The Saints were disappointed with their result, the premiers beating them by 64 points. Maitland find themselves bottom of the ladder and winless. A long season awaits for the Saints and improvements will need to be made to move up the ladder. Newcastle City sit comfortably at the other end of the ladder, holding top spot from the dangerous looking Terrigal Avoca Panthers who beat Warners Bay last weekend. As we move deeper into the season, the question has to be asked; will Newcastle City make it a three-peat premiership?

 

Terrigal and Warners Bay locked horns at Hylton Moore Oval in an anticipated match-up that would’ve seen the ladder shake as Warners Bay have wins under their belt and could potentially pull off the upset. That upset feel just 16 points short to the Panthers, who have played just the three games this year but showing football worthy of finals. The Bulldogs find themselves even: with 2 wins and 2 losses. Glimpses of their best football show, but with their two losses being chalked to Newcastle City and Terrigal; consistency against top 4 teams is what the Bulldogs will need to perfect.

 

At Cardiff a grudge match fans had circled on their calendars. Their last meeting in Round 1 saw just a 5-point triumph from the Cardiff Hawks, but this season Killarney Vale aren’t just here to compete. They’re here to blow the doors off. After chasing a 3^rd straight win that they desperately needed and got, they know how to rattle cages. Killarney Vale edged out Cardiff by a solid 42 points last weekend and have found their groove for 2025. The Bombers have soared up the ladder and they find themselves on the brink of the top 4. Meanwhile Cardiff have returned from the Grand Final a little worse for wear, with 3 losses and 2 wins, and only 6 of their grand finalists playing their early season match ups. Will the Hawks bounce back and flock into the finals, or will the skies be full of leaping Panthers, flying Bombers, jumping Marlins and City Blues? Cardiff has a task ahead for 2025.

 

Women’s Cup

 

In the Women’s Cup only two games went ahead in Round 5.

Singleton’s first home game of the season with Bateau Bay at Rose Point Oval was cancelled due to the wet weather, and could not be rescheduled.

 

However, two blockbusters ensued, and it’s clear that teams are leaving nothing to chance and playing with their all in the Women’s Cup.

 

Terrigal Avoca took on Warners Bay on the weekend, and was the smallest margin of the weekend; the Bulldogs going down by just 19 points. Reviewing the scorecard, the Bulldogs had 2 goals and 5 behinds. If those numbers had been reversed — 5 goals and 2 behinds — they could have matched Terrigal Avoca’s total of 5 goals and 6 behinds, and possibly won with an extra goal. Terrigal faced a similar issue, struggling to convert with just as many behinds and a modest total score. Still, both teams are showing signs of improvement as the season progresses. Terrigal currently sits third on the ladder, while Singleton’s continued winless run is keeping Warners Bay in sixth place — for now.

 

Then, Cardiff executed sweet revenge in a thrilling Grand Final rematch against Killarney Vale, storming to victory and claiming Women’s Cup glory at home. After falling short in last year’s decider, the Hawks returned hungrier and harder, outplaying their rivals in a fierce contest filled with passion and pride. The match lived up to its blockbuster billing, but it was Cardiff who rose to the occasion, silencing the doubters. Killarney Vale now sit 4^th on the AFL table, and Hawks have landed in the top 2, behind Newcastle City.

 

The wet weekend may have washed out the action, but it hasn’t dampened the spirit of the footy community. With eyes now turning to clearer skies ahead, clubs and fans alike will be eager to return to the field and make up for lost time (that’s not in the mud!)