After a successful Representative Round that saw both our Hunter Central Coast Men’s and Women’s sides return from Canberra with strong victories, it was back to club football for Round 5.
Men’s Cup
Nelson Bay hosted reigning premiers Terrigal Avoca and, despite entering the clash as underdogs, the Marlins came ready to play. In a surprise to many, Nelson Bay led by a point at quarter time.
Terrigal responded after the break, kicking four goals to three in the second term, however the Marlins remained right in the contest, trailing by just six points at halftime.
The Panthers lifted another level in the third quarter, kicking 5.1 to open up a 14-point advantage heading into the final break. Nelson Bay continued to fight hard, but a strong defensive display from Terrigal kept the Marlins goalless in the final term as the Panthers kicked away to secure an important road win, 15.11 (101) to 8.13 (61).
There were plenty of positive signs for Nelson Bay, with Wayde Blackburn kicking three goals as the Marlins continue to challenge the competition’s top sides.
For Terrigal, Harrison Pitt and Noah Cookman both kicked four goals as the Panthers continue searching for the form that carried them to the 2025 Grand Final.
Newcastle City continued their unbeaten run in 2026, putting on a clinic in a dominant 19-goal demolition of an undermanned Maitland side. The Saints will be hoping to regain several key players ahead of their Round 6 clash with Warners Bay.
Newcastle City ran out convincing winners, 19.18 (132) to 2.1 (13).
The Blues will face their biggest challenge yet in Round 6 when they take on an in-form Killarney Vale outfit.
Following their first bye and a heavy loss to Nelson Bay, Wyong Lakes looked their most competitive yet in 2026 as they hosted The Entrance Bateau Bay at “The Don”.
The Blues entered the local clash as favourites, but the Magpies had their opportunities early, recording five scoring shots to three in the opening quarter. In the second term, The Entrance Bateau Bay applied pressure, but Wyong continued to respond and trailed by just 11 points at halftime.
The Magpies then produced the football that earned them promotion into the top-tier competition, winning the third quarter with 3.4 to head into the final break only five points behind.
However, the experience of The Entrance Bateau Bay proved too strong in the final quarter as the Blues pulled away for an 11.8 (74) to 8.11 (59) victory.
Noah Mathews, Harry Levi, Hayden Clark, and Brad Xavier all kicked two goals for the Blues, while Keaton Jones finished with three for Wyong Lakes.
The Blues now have the bye before heading into the long weekend, while the Magpies will hope to regain some experienced players before taking on Terrigal Avoca.
Killarney Vale were made to work hard for their victory at home, with Cardiff pushing the premiership contenders all the way in a classic contest at Adelaide Street Oval.
Cardiff came out strongly and took a one-goal lead into quarter time. However, the Bombers responded with a defensive masterclass in the second term, holding the Hawks goalless while kicking four majors to establish a handy 22-point halftime lead.
Whatever was said in the Cardiff rooms at halftime certainly worked, with the Hawks turning the game around in the third quarter, kicking three goals to just two behinds to close the margin to a single point at the final break.
The stage was set for a thrilling final quarter. Killarney Vale controlled field position and momentum but failed to put the game away, kicking six behinds and leaving the door open for Cardiff.
The Hawks, however, were unable to capitalise, with the Bombers narrowly holding on for a 6.13 (49) to 6.7 (43) victory.
Brandon Lloyd starred with three goals for Killarney Vale, while young gun Marshall Muirhead kicked two to keep Cardiff in the contest.
Killarney Vale will now look to end Newcastle City’s unbeaten run when the two sides meet at No.1 Sportsground in Round 6 — a clash that promises to be another classic.
Meanwhile, Cardiff will host a Nelson Bay side eager to prove they are genuine finals contenders.
Women’s Cup
Despite entering the clash at Dick Burwell Oval as equal favourites, it was Terrigal Avoca who exploded out of the blocks, kicking five straight goals in the opening quarter to leave Nelson Bay scoreless at the first break.
The Marlins steadied in the second term, with both sides kicking 2.2 (14), but after halftime the Panthers lifted again, putting the game beyond reach as they extended the margin to 45 points by three-quarter time.
Terrigal Avoca eventually claimed an 11.5 (71) to 3.3 (21) victory.
Nelson Bay now face an unpredictable Cardiff side in Round 6, while the Panthers will look to continue building consistency against The Entrance Bateau Bay.
Newcastle City maintained their dominant start to the 2026 season with a flawless 100-point victory over Maitland.
The Blues came out firing and never slowed down, running away with a 14.7 (101) to 0.1 (1) win. Billie Davies and Ingrid Fitzpatrick each kicked three goals in the victory.
City now face their toughest challenge of the season in Round 6 when they take on Killarney Vale in a top-of-the-table blockbuster, while Maitland will see their clash with Warners Bay as a genuine opportunity to secure their first win.
Killarney Vale kept their premiership defence on track with a strong defensive performance against Cardiff at Adelaide Street Oval, keeping the Hawks goalless for the match.
The Bombers led at quarter time despite having fewer scoring shots, before kicking two majors in the second quarter to establish a 20-point lead at halftime.
Cardiff’s inaccuracy proved costly in the third term, managing just two behinds while holding Killarney Vale scoreless. The Bombers had opportunities to extend the margin in the final quarter, but poor conversion kept the door open as they kicked 1.5.
Killarney Vale eventually secured a 4.10 (34) to 0.7 (7) victory, with Lilly Davidson kicking two of the Bombers’ four goals.
The Bombers now prepare for a blockbuster clash against ladder leaders Newcastle City in what many are already calling a potential Grand Final preview, while Cardiff will look to bounce back against Nelson Bay.
Rounding out Round 5, Warners Bay claimed their first victory of the 2026 season with a strong win over The Entrance Bateau Bay.
The Bulldogs started strongly and never looked like slowing down, leading by 15 points at quarter time.
After kicking two goals to one in the second quarter, Warners Bay headed into halftime with a handy four-goal lead and full control of the contest.
Keeping the Blues scoreless in the second half, the Bulldogs secured an impressive 8.10 (58) to 2.1 (13) victory, with Amy Younger starring with four goals.
Warners Bay now take on a hungry Maitland side this weekend, while The Entrance Bateau Bay face the challenge of Terrigal Avoca.
Men’s Plate:
Maitland Saints 0.2.2 Def By Newcastle City Blues 42.26.248
Killarney Vale Bombers 13.15.93 Def Cardiff Hawks 1.3.9
Lake Macquarie Dockers 4.8.32 Def Warners Bay 4.4.28
Singleton Roosters Def The Entrance Bateau Bay – by forfeit
Women’s Plate:
Killarney Vale Bombers 7.10.52 Def Port Stephens 2.3.15
Cardiff Hawks Def By Newcastle City Blues 3rds - By Forfeit
Wyong Lakes Magpies 2.6.18 Def By Lake Macquarie Dockers 6.5.41
Muswellbrook Cats 2.0.12 Def By Terrigal Avoca Panthers 18.20.128
Warners Bay Bulldogs 2.9.21 Def Singleton Roosters 1.1.7
Men’s Sheild:
Wyong Lakes Magpies 10.8.68 Def Muswellbrook Cats 7.4.46
Newcastle City Blues 10.13.73 Def Killarney Vale Bombers 2.4.16