For the first time in Nelson Bay Marlins AFL Club history all three of its senior sides look on track to make finals.
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And if they do, the Bay will have a home soil advantage.
Nelson Bay’s bid to host a round of Black Diamond AFL’s finals was accepted.
The club will host finals for the premier men and women’s competitions at Dick Burwell Oval on Saturday, August 19.
“This is huge for the club,” Marlins club president Roger Price said.
“It means a huge revenue intake for us and more local interest.
“Locals who wouldn’t necessarily travel to Newcastle for these finals can come down and watch. Having the home ground advantage is a bonus, too.”
The women’s preliminary finals and premier men’s first and second semi-finals will be played at Dick Burwell Oval.
The Marlins women, sitting second on the GE BDAFL Women’s ladder, have already secured their spot in the August 19 preliminary final.
The men, playing in the Hunter Haval Black Diamond Cup, have to win their game on Saturday to guarantee a spot in the semi-final.
If they do not win the game their spot in the finals will be calculated by points.
In reserve grade, the Marlins are currently sitting fifth on the ladder.
Christie Mudd, who has played with the Marlins for three years, said the team is “really excited” for the opportunity to play finals footy at home.
“We're all really excited,” she said.
“Its awesome for the club to host something like this; it shows how well the club is going.”
The women, who claimed the 2016 premiership, had their long-standing winning streak broken by Newcastle City in June.
City has defeated the Marlins twice this season.
A Newcastle-Bay final is tipped again this season.
Mudd said the team did not mind the losses.
“It brings us to a level where we know we have to fight for it,” she said.
Mudd’s husband, Ryan, has played for the men’s premier team for four years.
He said the Bay were battling to remain finals contenders.
“We started the season well but we've been struggling with injuries and player out, but we're still up there, in the top four,” he said.
The Marlins women have this weekend off.
The men play Killarney Vale in Wyong on Saturday while reserve play an elimination final against Terrigal Avoca in Rutherford.
Ellie-Marie Watts
A journalist with 10 years experience, Ellie-Marie connects readers to the stories that matter in their communities. A Port Stephens-based news, sport and event writer and photographer with a passion for human interest features.
A journalist with 10 years experience, Ellie-Marie connects readers to the stories that matter in their communities. A Port Stephens-based news, sport and event writer and photographer with a passion for human interest features.
