WARNERS Bay Bulldogs have struck a late-season blow to Nelson Bay Marlins’ title aspirations in the AFL Hunter Central Coast Black Diamond Senior Men’s Cup series.
The fifth-placed Bulldogs – celebrating the club’s 50th anniversary – tuned up for the finals with a classic 83-74 victory over the fourth-ranked Marlins last weekend at Dick Burwell Oval.
After a seven-day turnover, both clubs will back up for a re-match this Saturday in a do-or-die elimination final.
Third-ranked Killarney Vale Bombers meet sixth-placed Cardiff Hawks in the other elimination final this weekend.
Undefeated minor premiers Newcastle City face the winner of the Marlins v Bulldogs clash, and second-ranked Terrigal-Avoca Panthers lock horns with the winner of the Bombers v Hawks contest in qualifying semi-finals on September 12.
The tenacious Bulldogs produced a stunning second-half display to sink the in-form Marlins by nine points in a gripping contest.
Nelson Bay continued its purple form patch with a rousing first-quarter performance – booting four goals and four behinds to skip to a 28-8 advantage.
There was no letting up in the second period as the Marlins and Bulldogs posted four goals apiece to give the Nelson Bay side an 18-point advantage at the half-time break.
Inspired by a five-goal spree from full forward Riley Hawes, the Bulldogs staged a remarkable comeback.
The turning point came in the third term, with the Bulldogs restricting the Nelson Bay team to just two behinds in a masterful defensive effort while booting four six-pointers to grab a 64-55 lead.
Both teams kicked three goals in the final term as Warners Bay maintained their second-half revival.
Nelson Bay’s legendary full forward Billy Barton finished with five goals in a fine kicking display, with Mitchell Hall, Wayd Blackburne, Adam Grant, Sean McGrath, Jayden Baldwin-Rymer and Andrew McConnell also posting six-pointers.
Nelson Bay Marlins’ women’s team have qualified for the Senior Women’s Cup final series after rolling Warners Bay 46-32 in a low-scoring tussle at Dick Burwell Oval.
The sixth-ranked Marlins face third-ranked Cardiff Hawks in an elimination final this Saturday.
Members of the Marlins’ 2016 premiership-winning women’s team were in attendance as the club celebrated an incredible 10-year milestone.
Warners Bay led 18-13 at the first break before the Marlins rallied with four goals in the second quarter to grab a 27-19 advantage at the half-time break.
Nelson Bay established a 46-26 lead at the end of the third quarter before restricting the Bulldogs to four behinds in the final term.
The Marlins were best served by fullback Olivia Feldman, followers Annalise Norton, Jazlyn Stevens, centre Charlotte Connick, halfback Mikaela Burrows and half-forward Scarlett Lack.
By Chris KARAS
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