Nelson Bay AFL stars help Hunter Central Coast sink South Coast

NELSON Bay Marlins AFL superboot Billy Barton has demonstrated his scoring prowess in the representative arena.

Barton kicked a goal for the combined AFL Hunter-Central Coast senior men’s team that toppled AFL South Coast 11.9 (75) to 9.10 (64) in the annual representative challenge fixture last weekend at Manuka Oval in Canberra.

The prolific-scoring forward turned in a strong performance on ground as the Hunter Central Coast side recovered from a 19-14 first quarter deficit to power their way to a deserved victory.

Barton proved a handful for the South Coast defenders as Hunter Central Coast gained a 35-27 advantage at the half time break and a 52-43 lead at the end of the third term.

He was one of three Nelson Bay players to gain selection in the 2026 Hunter-Central Coast representative squads, with the other two being Annalise Norton and Charlotte Connick, who were named in the senior women’s squad.

Two other Marlins’ mainstays, Zane Grant and Scarlett Lack, were chosen as emergency shadow reserves.

Norton and Connick starred in the Hunter-Central Coast women’s resounding 11.6 (72) to 1.4 (10) victory in the later fixture, with Cardiff’s Savannah Newton awarded the Nadene McBride Medal for best on ground.

Barton has proved a key player for the Marlins in this year’s Black Diamond Senior Men’s Cup series with strong performances in Nelson Bay’s recent wins over the Wyong-Lakes Magpies and The Entrance-Bateau Bay.

The star forward booted six goals in a 22.16 (148) to 5.7 (37) thumping of the Magpies at Dick Burwell Oval and another two goals in the Marlins’ 85-60 triumph over The Entrance-Bateau Bay to keep the Port Stephens club in the top four after three matches.

Other Nelson Bay players to showcase their wares include skipper Louis Dews, who kicked four goals against the Magpies; Mitchell Hall (five goals against The Entrance-Bateau Bay); and Hudson Roche, Tom Warren, Lachlan Blyth, Joel Schneeberger, Tim Anderson, Zane Grant, Jason Carey and Sam Norton.

In the Black Diamond Senior Women’s Cup, a determined Sophie Elliott booted three goals and Tori Borg a double, as Nelson Bay registered a gritty 58-50 win over The Entrance-Bateau Bay.

The Marlins were best served by rep stars Norton and Connick, Milla Gainsford, Jazlyn Stevens, Cameron Moncrieff and Ella Toscano in a spirited performance that elevated the team into fifth spot.

Nelson Bay senior men face a tough assignment this Saturday when they host the third ranked Terrigal Avoca Panthers at Dick Burwell Oval from 2pm after the senior women’s fixture at noon.

By Chris KARAS