NELSON Bay Marlins senior women’s AFL team have stamped themselves as genuine title contenders for the 2026 season.
Olivia Feldman’s tenacious Marlins narrowly missed out on the AFL Hunter Central Coast Senior Women’s Black Diamond Plate silverware this season but remain a force to be reckoned with in future campaigns.
The experienced Feldman was one of four Marlins players selected in this year’s Black Diamond Plate Team of the Year along with vice captain Tara Maguire, Catalina Labra Knox and Mikaela Burrows.
It is wonderful recognition for their consistent displays in this year’s competition.
Newcastle City Blues clinched the 2025 trophy after edging out Nelson Bay 23-15 last Saturday in a thrilling trophy decider at Newcastle’s No 1 Sportsground.
In one of the lowest-scoring grand finals on record, only a mere five goals were kicked between the two leading clubs.
Jess Sanderson, Billie Davies and Logan Stewart potted a single goal each as the Blues led 7-0 at the end of the first quarter; 14-1 at the half-time interval and 16-9 at the end of the third, before adding seven points in a pulsating final term.
Ella Toscano and Eiligh Farmer were the lone goal scorers for the courageous Marlins lineup.
AFL pundits described this year’s premiership decider as one of the best defensive performances of all time which is a glowing tribute to both Grand Final teams.
Nelson Bay were best served by stalwart skipper Feldman, the talented Labra Knox, Burrows, Farmer, Ellie Duffy and Charlotte Connick who spearheaded a lionhearted team display.
The Blues produced another spirited effort to keep the Marlins at bay with top games from consistent forwards Davies, Stewart, skipper Kelsey Hunt, Vy Zastera, Brianna Menken, Meredith Collins and Taylor Joyce.
By Chris KARAS
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