THE Muswellbrook Cats have made the big leap to the Black Diamond Plate in 2017.
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And, game one saw them head down the Hunter Expressway to Max McMahon Oval in Rutherford for a Hunter Valley derby with the Maitland Saints.
The Cats worked hard over four quarters but were no match for the Saints, eventually going down by 103 points, 18.10.118 to 1.9.15.
Despite the loss, coach Brian Scott was impressed with the performance.
“We understand the step up to the Black Diamond Plate will be a challenge,” he said.
“However, the expectation is that we will be competitive in every game which will bring positive results as the year progresses.
“We need to remember that this is what we were doing to other teams in Second Division last season.
“We had 10 shots on goal today against one of the premiership favourites.”
Lincoln Churcher was Muswellbrook’s solitary goalkicker while the best players were Cameron Benkovic, Jessy Belford, Jackson Cook, Mark McLaughlin, Adam Higham and Broque Smith.
It was an historic moment for the Muswellbrook club with their women’s team taking to the field for their first ever game of BDAFL in the GE Women’s Competition.
Muswellbrook was soundly beaten by Maitland, going down 23.21.159 to 1.0.6 but never gave in.
Gyarn Rawson made history by being the first women’s goalkicker.
The Cats were best served by Paris Adam, Eila Mills, Natalie Heard, Rawson, Karli Anshaw and Ashleigh Barrowcliffe.
This weekend, with Weeraman Field still out of action, Muswellbrook heads to Don Small Oval in Tacoma to play hosts Wyong Lakes.
The women’s fixture starts at noon and the Plate encounter kicks off at 2pm.
Results for Black Diamond AFL
2017 BDAFL Black Diamond Plate
Round 1 - 01/04/2017
Maitland 18.10 (118) defeated Muswellbrook 1.9 (15)
Newcastle City 13.9 (87) defeated Lake Macquarie 3.5 (23)
Singleton 15.18 (108) defeated Terrigal Avoca 1.1 (7)
Wyong Lakes 19.10 (124) defeated Gosford 9.5 (59)
2017 GE BDAFL Women’s
Round 1 - 01/04/2017
Gosford 5.2 (32) defeated Wyong Lakes 3.3 (21)
Newcastle City 21.21 (147) defeated Lake Macquarie 0.0 (0)
Killarney Vale 10.8 (68) defeated Singleton 1.0 (6)
Nelson Bay 10.11 (71) defeated Warners Bay 1.0 (6)
Maitland 23.21 (159) defeated Muswellbrook 1.0 (6)
Cardiff 9.17 (71) defeated Newcastle 2.0 (12)