NELSON Bay Marlins senior women’s AFL team have opened their 2026 Hunter Central Coast Black Diamond Senior Women’s Cup campaign on a positive note.
Unveiling some new recruits, the enterprising Marlins kicked off the season with a hard-fought 43 (6.7) to 27 (3.9) victory over the Maitland Saints at Max McMahon Oval.
In a low scoring contest against the Saints, defence was the order of the day with the talented Marlins restricting the home side to just three goals in an impressive team performance.
Nelson Bay led 12-3 and 15-11 at the end of the first stanza before streaking away to a 36-12 advantage at the conclusion of the third quarter.
Maitland produced a whirlwind finish – outscoring the Marlins by 15-7 in the final term but to no avail.
Best on ground for the Nelson Bay women were the dynamic Charlotte Connick, Milla Gainsford, Scarlett Lack, Sophie Elliott, Cameron Moncrieff and Jaz Stevens.
There was no joy for the Marlins in second round action last Saturday after they were outclassed 123-6 by a crack Killarney Vale team at Dick Burwell Oval.
Boasting power and speed across the park, the Bombers women dominated from the outset – kicking 11 goals to establish 36-0 and 68-6 leads at the end of two quarters.
Killarney Vale led 102-6 at three quarter time and booted an impressive tally of 19 goals for the entire match plus nine behinds.
Nelson Bay toiled hard against the premiership favourites and were best served by Annalise Norton, Amy Steele, Mikaela Burrows, Ellie Duffy, skipper Olivia Feldman and Ella Burggraaff.
By Chris KARAS
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