Nelson Bay too slick for Maitland in AFL Black Diamond Senior Mens Cup

NELSON Bay Marlins AFL men’s team is gathering momentum in the quest for premiership honours in the AFL Hunter Central Coast Senior Men’s Cup series.

Having already locked up fourth spot, the in-form Marlins showed their champion qualities with a resounding 97-16 victory over Maitland Saints last weekend at Max McMahon Oval.

They are now gearing themselves for possible back-to-back showdowns with fifth-placed rivals Warners Bay Bulldogs over the next fortnight.

Nelson Bay host the Bulldogs this Saturday in the final round of the regular season at Dick Burwell Oval and could be headed for a re-match in a Black Diamond Senior Men’s Cup elimination final seven days later.

The Marlins had too many big guns for the struggling Saints and produced a super defensive effort to keep the home side scoreless for the final two quarters.

After a scrappy start, the Nelson Bay team booted two goals to lead 15-8 at the first break and then another three maximums to grab a 23 point advantage at the half-time interval.

The Saints failed to score a point in the third and fourth stanzas as the Marlins consolidated victory with an eight goal spree led by experienced campaigner Wayd Blackburne (four goals) and Harry Gordon (three goals) in centre field.

But it was the second-half shutout that pleased Nelson Bay officials, led by fullbacks Rowan Connick, Joseph Brown, Adam Blyth and half backs Joel Schneeberger and Nik Ellis-Brody.

Connick, Ellis-Brody, half forwards Mitchell Hall, Tom Warren and Mitchell Walls, full forward Sam Carruthers also potted goals for the clinical Marlins.

Newcastle City (60 points) maintained their unbeaten status and title favouritism after trouncing The Entrance- Bateau Bay 142-22 – chalking up a 15th successive victory while second ranked Terrigal-Avoca Panthers (52    points) slammed a spirited Cardiff Hawks 90-65 in a hard fought tussle at Pasterfield Sports Complex.

By Chris KARAS