Nelson Bay Marlins roll Saints to book AFL Women’s Grand Final

NELSON Bay Marlins AFL women’s team is on the brink of Hunter Central Coast Black Diamond Plate championship honours.

Tara Maguire’s spirited Marlins booked a Grand Final showdown this Saturday with minor premiers Newcastle City Blues, after toppling Maitland Saints.

They will take some stopping for this year’s title.

After finishing third on the table at the end of the preliminary rounds, the Nelson Bay women warriors zoomed into trophy contention with stout-hearted wins over Lake Macquarie Dockers (26-2) and the second ranked Saints (40-23) during the finals series.

Last Saturday’s 17 point preliminary final triumph over Maitland at Don Small Oval was full of grit, determination and skill with team mainstays Evangeline Hol, Liana Sostarko, Ella Toscano, Sophie Elliott and Isabella Hol all bagging crucial six pointers in a rollicking contest.

They will now line-up against a powerful Newcastle City outfit that edged out a courageous Cardiff Hawks 27-22 in a low scoring semi-final at Pasterfield Sports Complex.

The Marlins demonstrated their premiership qualities with a super defensive effort against the highly acclaimed Saints.

Nelson Bay led 9-7, 22-8 and 34-15 at the end of each break, booting a final quarter goal to stave off a gallant Maitland challenge, and go into this weekend’s trophy decider brimming with confidence.

When the teams last clashed at Bateau Bay Oval on 9 August, the Marlins secured a gripping 28-26 victory in a top quality tussle to ignite a season-defining seven match winning streak.

Nelson Bay players to watch include experienced campaigners in Sophie Elliott, Kaitlyn Mamotte, Catalina Labra knox, vice captain Olivia Feldman, Liana Sostarko, Charlotte Connick, Ella Toscano, Angelina McGrath, Chaeli Callaghan, skipper Tara Maguire, Keira Mamotte, Evangeline Hol, Amelia Glen, Mikaela Burrows, Scarlett Lack, Isabella Hol, Eiligh Farmer, Aimee Dove, Ellie Duffy, Tori Borg, Mackenzie Roche and Hayley O’Brien.

Iron women Elliott (104 games) and Kaitlyn Mamotte (100 games) have joined a select band of players in the Marlins’ Century Club with gun forward Elliott the leading scorer this season with 35 goals from 15 appearances.

Nelson Bay’s senior men’s team bowed out of the Black Diamond Cup title race following a 124-77 loss to Terrigal Avoca Panthers in an elimination final at Adelaide Street Oval.

Mark Spencer and Billy Barton kicked four goals each with player coach Wayd Blackburne (2), Harrison Lack and Mitchell Hall also among the scorers in an entertaining contest.

By Chris KARAS