THE Nelson Bay Marlins have been promoted to the 2025 AFL Hunter Central Coast Seniors Black Diamond Cup men’s competition.
After dominating the early rounds of the Black Diamond Men’s Plate series with thumping victories in excess of 100 points, the talented Marlins will step up a class for the remainder of the season.
With prolific goalscoring skipper Billy Barton leading the way, the Nelson Bay club posted crushing victories over Cardiff Hawks (219-1), Singleton Roosters (153-7) and the Maitland Saints (212-12) in their three Plate matches before being drafted into the top level.
The Marlins compiled a staggering 86 goals and conceded just a mere three with superboot Barton contributing an impressive individual tally of 30 goals.
This included a haul of 15 goals in the opening round demolition of Cardiff.
Other Nelson Bay players to impress include Jayden Baldwin-Rymer, Matthew Blyth, Adam Grant, Tim Anderson, Jake Voyzey, Mitchell Hall, Rowan Connick, Louis Dews, Mark Spencer, Andrew Riley, Zane Grant, Sean McGrath and Beau Redman.
All three victories were achieved at the club’s home base at Dick Burwell Oval at Tomaree Sports Complex.
Nelson Bay’s first assignment in the eight team Black Diamond Cup series was against The Entrance Bateau Bay Blues at Bateau Bay Oval.
Meanwhile, the Nelson Bay senior women’s team have chalked up two victories and two losses from their opening four fixtures in the Black Diamond Plate Women’s competition.
The Marlins defeated Cardiff Hawks (40-14) and The Entrance Bateau Bay (94-0) before succumbing to Lake Macquarie Dockers (50-29) and Newcastle City Blues (48-25) in recent weeks to remain in the top five.
Nelson Bay women’s players to shine include Catalina Labra-knox, Sophie Elliott, Chaeli Callaghan, Ellie Duffy, Tori Borg, Amy Steele, Tara Maguire, Liana Sostarko, Mackenzie Roche, Charlotte Connick, Olivia Feldman, Scarlett Lack, Aimee Dove, Mikaela Burrows, Michelle Maricic and Evangeline Hol.
By Chris KARAS
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