Round 6 WASHOUT Replay – Killarney Vale loaded with Lloyds, a Central Coast Derby for the ages, A very stealthy Panther and Premiers pay the price.
Round 6 WASHOUT Replay –
Killarney Vale loaded with Lloyds, a Central Coast Derby for the ages, A very stealthy Panther and Premiers pay the price.
Written by Oliver Croft
Men’s Cup
The Nelson Bay Marlins’ strong form in Reserve Grade earned them a call-up to First Grade, and they proved why this weekend at home against the Cardiff Hawks. With a Top 4 spot on the line, the half time scoreline reflected the fire, with the Hawks up by 8 points. The Marlins Captain Billy Barton kicked 5 goals to see them back in it at the final change by just a point while the Cardiff forward line had trouble converting with just 5 goals and 14 behinds. In the end the Marlins snapped their two-game losing streak by 24 points. The Hawks will no doubt be reflecting on missed opportunities, having kicked wide of the goal line more often than they would’ve liked. But their focus now shifts to a tough away clash this weekend against Warners Bay. The Bulldogs have built serious momentum, claiming wins over Newcastle City and Nelson Bay – two of the competition’s strongest sides – and are eyeing a rise from 3rd place on the ladder. With the added edge of ANZAC Day rivalry and Old Dogs Day being celebrated at The Kennel, this shapes as a must-win for the Hawks to stay in the finals hunt. Can they rise to the challenge and produce a major upset?
Bateau Bay and Maitland faced off again for the third time this season, and once again Bateau Bay came out on top, beating the Saints for the second time, just one week after Maitland gained their first win of the season. The Saints and Bateau Bay are going blow for blow, and they’ll face off again this weekend to make up for their postponed Round 6 clash. Will the Bay make it 3-1, or will the Saints triumph for a much needed second win?
On the Central Coast, we finally got a glimpse of the unrecognised, stealthy force of a Panther – a Terrigal Avoca Panther, clad in red and black. Terrigal have done what Warners Bay achieved the week before and pulled off what many thought impossible: defeating the reigning premiers, Newcastle City. And not just by a whisker – they won by 36 points
The Panthers could be finals-bound and in no mood for mercy. They go head to head with Killarney Vale, whose momentum is hindered over and over again. They could be up for a massive upset though: because they welcome back former AFL GWS Giants Player Brandon Lloyd who will play with his younger brother; Daniel Lloyd in the red and black line-up in the biggest Central Coast Derby of the year, just in time for the Bombers who need a win. Can’t make it to the ground? Ashley Borg, Cori Hopper, and Shane Darwin have you covered — bringing all the red and black fury of the Central Coast Derby live and exclusive from The Hangar, Adelaide Street Oval, on Bar TV Sports.
Newcastle City are on a two-game losing streak, and it doesn’t get any easier this week, with Reserve Grade favourites Nelson Bay heading to No. 1 Sportsground for a high-stakes clash against the premiers. After losses to the Bulldogs and then the Panthers, City are desperate to bounce back. But can the rejuvenated Marlins sink the Blues in a blockbuster showdown? It won’t be easy – Nelson Bay are yet to beat a Top 4 side in 2025. Everything’s on the line: the Marlins want to stay in the four, the Blues want to hold onto top spot.
Women’s Cup
The pace and fire of the Women’s Cup is heating up, with Top 4 teams beginning to flex their finals form as the season enters its final stretch.
Warners Bay have forfeited against the Hawks, who will automatically win by forfeit, and the Bateau Bay Blues have the bye, which is important if they want to keep their Top 4 Spot for September, rest will be needed, in quantity of hard work. Therefore, just two make-up games are on offer this weekend – but both could have big implications.
The Central Coast Derby: Premiers Killarney Vale take on the Terrigal Avoca Panthers, whose season has been slipping apart after losses to Singleton two weeks ago and a heavy 121-0 defeat to City last week. They face the Bombers, who ran riot over a promising Bulldogs side by 114 points last week and are eager to bounce back after a few tough losses of their own. The action kicks off at 12:30pm Saturday at Adelaide Street Oval.
Then, the Singleton Roosters face off Newcastle City at home. While hopes are high for an upset, City may hold the advantage, coming off a big win. Cardiff also recently defeated the Roosters last weekend by over 120 points. The Roosters have had a win though this season, they just need to find it again, and they might be able to move off the bottom of the ladder.
