In Round 15 of the Wilson Security Black Diamond AFL Cup played on Saturday, August 2, Terrigal Avoca’s unbeaten season came to end at the hands of Newcastle City.
At Number One Sportsground, in what many were predicting to be a grand final preview, Newcastle City Blues proved too strong for Terrigal Avoca winning 15.4.94 to 9.17.71, and in doing so inflicted the Terrigal Panthers first defeat for the season.
The opening quarter started off at a cracking pace with both teams hitting the ground intent on jumping to a lead.
Despite kicking with the wind and having much of the early play, inaccurate kicking saw Terrigal Avoca open the scoring through four straight points, before Gavin Kirkman finally kicked a goal for the Panthers after more than 10 minutes of play.
This awoke Newcastle City who kicked two straight goals through Pat Gillingham including an audacious snap over his head to bring scores level at the first break.
The Blues’ Josh Wheeler was excellent up forward and the returning Andrew Willmot was finding his way into the game.
A goal to Panthers’ coach Chris Bishop just before the siren saw Terrigal Avoca get back within 10 points at half time.
Bishop must have inspired his troops at half time as it was the Panthers who came out firing, kicking the fi rst three goals of the quarter and shot to a 10 point lead.
But the Blues responded with three straight themselves. Newcastle City’s defenders Matt Bailey and Ian Baker were nullifying the influence of key Panther forwards, Matt Betson and James Polglase, however, Jono Gourlay was starting to get on top in the ruck for Terrigal Avoca.
Both teams traded another goal each as the game continued to ebb and fl ow and at the fi nal change Newcastle City still led by eight points.
Again Terrigal Avoca came out early, inspired by the excellent form of Kurt Fleming and took it to the Blues by kicking the first two goals of the quarter, but as they had done all game, Newcastle City kept coming back.
A long goal to Michael Healy and then a great snap from coach Courtney Knight, seemed to take away any hope the Panthers had of coming back.
Three more goals to the Blues blew the score line out and ended the unbeaten streak of the Panthers.
For Terrigal Avoca, Fleming was a standout with James Webster, Gourlay and Jayson Van Dam among their best.
Media release, 5 Aug 2014
Garry Burkinshaw, BDAFL