Gritty Marlins hold their own in AFL Senior Women’s Cup campaign

THEY didn’t make an impact in this year’s AFL Hunter Central Coast Senior Women’s Cup finals series, but Nelson Bay Marlins can hold their heads high after gallant performances in 2026.

Finishing the regular season in sixth spot, the Marlins women handled the step up in class to register five victories and storm their way into the big end-of-season matches.

Leading the way were the club’s leadership team of captain Olivia Feldman, vice captain Charlotte Connick and deputy vice captains Mikaela Burrows and Scarlett Lack.

All four turned in inspirational performances during the Marlins’ finals charge, with Feldman a standout at fullback, supported by centre Connick, half back Burrows and half forward Lack.

Other consistent players for Nelson Bay this season were centre Amy Steele, followers Annaliese Norton, Jazlyn Stevens and Bella Hol, halfbacks Evie Hol, Ellie Duffy and fullback Chaeli Callaghan, interchange Kiera Mamotte, Kaitlyn Mamotte, Tori Borg, Sophie Elliott, Ella Burggraaff, and centre Kelly Van Donselaar.

Nelson Bay bowed out in the first week of the finals series after a heavy loss to Cardiff Hawks but showed courage and skill against their more-experienced rivals.

Feldman’s brave charges will be better for the experience in 2027 as they build on mixing it with competition heavyweights Killarney Vale Bombers, Newcastle City Blues, Cardiff Hawks, Terrigal Avoca Panthers and Warners Bay Bulldogs.

The Bombers were crowned Black Diamond Senior Women’s Cup champions after sinking the Blues 31-29 in a grand final classic last Saturday at Newcastle’s No 1 Sportsground.

Killarney Vale’s come-from-behind victory over Newcastle City in the Senior Women’s Cup trophy decider denied the Blues from recording a unique premiership clean sweep.

Unbeaten Newcastle City defeated the Bombers 80-53 in the Senior Men’s Cup Grand Final, with the Blues trouncing the Bombers 120-10 in the Senior Men’s Plate.

In the Senior Men’s Shield decider the Blues blitzed University of Newcastle Seahorses 78-27 and registered a 36-18 triumph over Lake Macquarie Dockers to claim the Senior Women’s Plate trophy.

By Chris KARAS