In Newcastle City's last set of home games for 2006 all three teams went out in style with comfortable victories over the Terrigal-Avoca Panthers. The enjoyment certainly didn't end there with a big night for all at the Annual Black Tie Dinner Ball.
A big day of action for the City faithful started early down at No. 1 Sportsground with the Under 18's side posting another big win to keep their Top-2 aspirations alive. The side were at full strength for the first time this season and displayed fantastic teamwork to eventually run out 150-point winners.
Key backman Josh Childs again played well in defence along with new half-back flankers Lucas Gorton and Nathan Childs. Justin Humphries was dominant in the ruck and young superstar Matthew Bailey was a class above in the slippery conditions. Josh Nesbitt battled hard all day along with multiple goal scorers Mick Atkinson who kicked five, Hayden Kavanagh and Liam Keith four with a further eight players kicking goals a pleasing result.
The boys look towards Singleton this coming Saturday at Seaman Oval in another must-win game to ensure a Top-2 finish to the season.
In the First Division match played in perfect conditions at No.1 the Blues were able to record an 88-point victory to maintain their hold on the Minor Premiership.
BK return to vintage form with a BOG performance in a hard and physical encounter with the fifth placed Panthers. McCormack, Disco Duggo, Harro and Cameron Mitchell played great games with Deedy slotting through four, Harro three and Fitzhenry a lazy two.
Coming in at quarter time with a slim 11-point margin the Blues kicked away in the second quarter with a seven goal to nil effort just reward for the effort from the side.
The second half was more of the same with a tight third quarter kicking into the breeze for the Blues with another big last quarter with the wind kicking six goals to one. The side get to enjoy the bye this week with a chance to rest those niggling injuries leading up to the finals.
The big Black Diamond Cup clash was set to be a beauty with Club Legend Steve Wilmott watching on along with members of the triumphant 1981 Premiership Team.
They certainly weren't let down with a rejuvenated City side making all posts a winner to come out in front with a 35-point result a pleasing turnaround from there last encounter with the Panthers.
The first quarter was a torrid affair with the Blues performing well into the strong breeze to hold the dangerous Panthers to just four goals in a pleasing effort for the Blues defence. Coach Burns had his hands full with the `Gong looking like he had bought his A-game along, but with the support of Niland, Wilmott, Hammer and Enright the Blues were able to restrict Terrigal to two goals in the second quarter with the Blues piling on five goals to hold a handy 13-point lead at half-time.
An even third term with the Blues managing to slot four to Terrigal's three had the game set for a great last quarter with the Blues luckily having the breeze behind their backs.
Despite some inaccuracy in front of goals, the Blues managed two goals and nine behinds in the last quarter which was enough to put the Panthers away and record a great win to make it three from three for the Club.
Coach Burns got the slab from the BDAFL for a top game on Gooly who only managed one goal for the day, and he was well supported by Cotter on the wing, Kempy who always gave a contest at centre half forward and Shannon Burke who was tough and hard in the packs all day. Buckets kicked straighter than most for a change to kick three straight and Dinneen, Courtney Knight and Woody each kicked two.
It's off to Seaman Oval this Saturday with another Warners Bay battle awaiting the team. With second spot now a realistic chance to side will be rearing to go with O'Bryan, Rawnsley and Nathan Stewart expected to be available for the big clash.
With the big three wins all on the board it was now time to head home and put on the finest for the big Black Tie Dinner Ball being held at the Phoenix Club.
The 100 strong crowd were greeted by a beautifully decorated Showroom decked out resplendently in blue and white by the Functions Guru Jen Hope who organised and ran the Ball in fine style.
The Steve Wilmott Tribute was received with a standing ovation from the crowd and Mayor John Tate expressed his encouragement and sincere appreciation of the strong club culture in the room and dedication of the TRUE BLUE clubman, Steve Wilmott.
Steve's guernsey No.16 was officially retired on the evening with a glass cased jumper to be proudly displayed on the Clubroom walls at No.1. Steve was also presented with a collage titled "TRUE BLUE" with a series of images from his 50-year long career with the Club.
The 1981 Premiership team were also honoured on the night with a dozen of the teams finest returning to receive plaudits from the City faithful.
The players were each presented with a zapruder style film of the big game on DVD which will be heading straight to the pool room, along with a framed team photo from the big day.
The Herald photographer was on hand to record the night's adventures with a spread of photos due to appear in the paper on Monday morning.
The ladies of course all looked stunning and the men were looking good for the first half of the evening at the very least.
The night was in full swing at about midnight with the De Bortoli wine courtesy of Harro going down like mothers' milk and the shirts starting to hang out and the jackets left to mind the backs of seats.
All in all a great day to be a Blue and a weary Sunday surely awaits our enthusiastic Club members.
GO THE BLUES!
Last Modified on 02/11/2006 14:42