The Black Diamond AFL home and away season came to a close during Round 18 on August 11, with Terrigal Avoca overcoming Newcastle City and Gosford going down to Wyong Lakes.
In the match of the round at Adcock Park, Wyong Lakes will play in the finals following their 17.11.113 to 9.11.65 win over Gosford. With the winner claiming the last fi nals berth, both sides started nervously. However, Wyong Lakes settled the quickest, with three late goals to lead by 29 points at quarter time. Kicking with the wind, Gosford for the second week running, were unable to make the most of their opportunities, and despite dominating the play, were unable to convert on the scoreboard, with only two goals from eight scoring shots. Wyong had a commanding 32 point lead at half time.
Wyong Lakes put the game to bed in the third quarter. With the match over, Gosford, as they have all year, showed plenty of pride to kick five final quarter goals, to reduce the final margin to 38 points. Burkinshaw was Gosford’s best, supported by, Tim Eather, Brad Deitz and Alex Remy. Tom Paavola was their only multiple goal-kicker, with three. At Newcastle No 1 Sportsground, Terrigal Avoca fi nished the home and away one season with just one loss (Round 2 vs Cardiff), with a 10.13.73 to 7.10.52 win over Newcastle City. With both teams having already confi rmed a fi nals berth, the result was academic. However, an incident which occurred early in the match, could have fi nals ramifi cations for both teams.
A collision between Newcastle City key player, Conor Haswell, and Terrigal Avoca midfi elder, Jack Grimmond, saw Grimmond knocked out and taken from the fi eld with concern over his jaw and teeth, whilst Haswell was sent from the fi eld with a yellow card and placed on report. When play resumed, Terrigal Avoca led by fi ve goals to Brandon Thomas, established an early 17 point lead, and the margin seemed to be around that mark for the whole match. Apart from Thomas, James Webster, Brendan Harper and Josh Polglase were the best for the Panthers. The wash-up is Terrigal Avoca, as Minor Premiers, who will progress straight to the Preliminary Final, with Gosford out of the running.
Source: Media release, Aug 11 Gary Burkinshaw, Black Diamond AFL