Nelson Bay Marlins courageous in 60-57 AFL loss to Newcastle City

NELSON Bay Marlins AFL club have breathed new life into the 2026 Hunter Central Coast Black Diamond Senior Men’s Cup competition.

In one of their finest on-field performances, the stout-hearted Marlins came within an ace of snapping Newcastle City’s 14-match winning streak last weekend at the No 1 Sportsground.

Newcastle edged out a courageous Nelson Bay team  60-57 in a top grade thriller to confirm their favouritism for the AFL premiership flag.

Talented City forward Jason Pongracic proved the difference – booting five goals in an epic contest between two of the competition’s most skilful outfits.

Fourth-ranked Nelson Bay stunned the undefeated minor premiers by establishing 20-14 and 43-40 leads at the end of the first and third quarters respectively.

But Newcastle’s class shone through in the final term as they stormed home by posting three goals and two behinds to maintain their unbeaten status.

Leading the way for City were the prolific-scoring Pongracic, Tom Burke, Nick Anderson, Will Ross, Noah MacDonald and the classy Dom Stanbridge.

The Marlins relished the challenge against the all-conquering Newcastle line-up, booting three goals to two in the opening quarter to post a narrow lead.

Experienced full forward Wayd Blackburne kept the Marlins in the hunt with three vital goals and was ably supported by halfbacks Jason Carey and Harrison Lack, full forward Harry Gordon, followers Louis Dews and Zane Grant and interchange Andrew McConnell, who snared two goals in a pulsating tussle.

Other Marlins players to grab six-pointers were centre Jayden Baldwin-Rymer, half forward Mitch Hall and interchange Sam Carruthers.

With two regular season fixtures to be completed against Maitland Saints and Warners Bay Bulldogs, the Nelson Bay side is guaranteed a fourth-place finish.

By Chris KARAS