PORT Stephens Power and Nelson Bay Marlins senior women’s AFL teams have set a cracking pace in this year’s Hunter Central Coast Black Diamond Plate competition.
Both clubs are entrenched at the top of the premiership table after posting back-to-back victories in the opening two rounds of the 2025 series.
Emma Chester’s revamped Power line up outclassed the Wyong Lakes Magpies 11.8 (74) to 3.1 (19) at Ferodale Oval last Saturday with forward Kristy Davies booting five of her team’s eleven goals in a superb display.
The Power led 20-6 at the end of the first quarter before adding another three goals to establish a handy 39-12 advantage at the half time break.
Maintaining the pressure the Port Stephens side consolidated in the third term by surging to a 33 point lead before keeping the Magpies scoreless in the final quarter.
Other Power players to impress were forward dynamo Sarah Masiero, Jayde Everill, Chantal Giepmans, Bianca Cattelini and Sacha Gratton in an encouraging team display.
Power club president Kayla Pennicott told News Of The Area that the club’s senior women’s team would improve markedly as the season progresses.
Nelson Bay women had too many big guns in their 94-0 drubbing of The Entrance Bateau Bay Blues at Bateau Bay Oval.
Newcastle City Thirds underlined the club’s overall depth by posting a 15.10 (100) to 3.6 (24) triumph over the Port Stephens Power senior men’s side at Ferodale Oval.
City booted four quick goals to jump to a 26-2 lead and opened up a thirty point advantage (46-16) by the half time interval.
With the likes of Noah Handley, Damien Abblitt, Ryan Davies, Patric Illingworth, Jordie Harris and Jayden Huxley leading the way the Newcastle outfit finished strongly with an eight goal spree in the final two terms.
Nixon Stanbridge (4), Joshua Lieschke (3), Jonathon Hamilton (3) and Tom Crowe (2) were on target for the visitors who posted a second successive victory.
The Power were best served by inspirational tall Ben Mills, vice captain Joe Contin and Ben Frith with Noah McKimm (2) and Ayden Murray registering goals in a stout-hearted display.
Port Stephens men’s squad will lock horns with Cardiff Hawks Thirds on 26 April at the Pasterfield Sports Complex at 2pm after the Power women square off against the Hawks from 12 noon.
By Chris KARAS
