
Officials decided this team was too good for the comp, so they moved them. Now they're on the cusp of history
But he didn't expect the Nelson Bay Marlins to be competing in the first-grade competition, let alone challenging for a finals berth in the Black Diamond Cup.
The Marlins started the year in the second-division Black Diamond Plate, but after three huge victories - posting 200-point scores in two of them - they opted to move up to Cup.
The rare in-season elevation forced a change to how Cup teams will now qualify for finals, given the Marlins come in late, but it has proved the right move for the Port Stephens club.
They've won four of six games, and beaten the likes of 2024 grand finalists Cardiff twice, 2022 premiers Killarney Vale and pushed Warners Bay all the way in a five-point loss.
"We were in second grade and ... beating teams by a decent margin, and we just thought it wasn't great for competition, both ways. No one gets a lot out of beating teams like that," Blackburne, a Nelson Bay local who took over as Marlins coach this year after playing several seasons in Sydney, said.
"We had a meeting after a big win and said: 'Do you want to go up and try and challenge ourselves?', and the group said: ''Yes'."
"We got off to a really good start with three wins and people buying in.
"We've come up against some good sides and had a couple of losses, but we had a good win on the weekend again and are sitting OK."
Nelson Bay's latest triumph, beating Cardiff 10.8 (68) to 5.14 (44) on Saturday, has them placed fourth ahead of their remaining seven games.
A team's wins divided by matches played - rather than competition points - will determine their ladder position.
The Marlins have a mixed run home, facing some of the struggling sides but also second-placed Terrigal Avoca, who beat them by 85 points a fortnight ago, and leaders Newcastle City twice, including this Saturday.
"There's a couple of winnable games there, but we're definitely thinking about it, I wouldn't say we're not, that's for sure," Blackburne said of whether the Marlins were targeting a top-four finals spot.
"We went 3-0 and then when you lose a couple you think you're back to the pack a bit. We knew we had to win on the weekend against Cardiff.
"For us, yeah you want to play finals, but it's more about growing the group.
"With Nelson Bay, we're so out of area compared to other clubs. We only have 30 on our list and only have one team. Sometimes people are missing out on games, and sometimes we're struggling to get 22, 23 players a week.
"We make do with what we've got, and always give it a red-hot crack."
Blackburne becoming player-coach helped lure the returns of Jayden Baldwin-Rymer, Billy Barton and Jason Carey.
"Blokes like that who had played previously but had some time off," he said.
"The Grant brothers [Zane and Adam] have been unreal, Mitch Walls up front ... The Blyth boys are always really good - the three brothers [Adam, Lachlan and Matthew] ... we're very grateful for them."
The Marlins, who were last in first grade in 2023 after winning the 2022 second-grade flag, have not made finals in the top division since 2017.
Their best finish to a first-grade season in the past decade was when they ran third in 2016, advancing to the preliminary final. Nelson Bay also sit fourth in the women's second division.
"The club's in a really good spot," Blackburne said.
"To go up to first grade and be competitive, that was the main thing for us ... there's some really tough games there and that will sort us out. But if we can stay competitive and be in games, we will give ourselves a chance."
In other games on Saturday, Terrigal Avoca 14.6 (90) beat Newcastle City 7.12 (54), The Entrance-Bateau Bay 12.5 (77) held off Maitland 9.8 (62), and Wanrers Bay 13.15 (93) rolled Killarney Vale 9.4 (50) to record their fifth consecutive win.
MEN'S CUP LADDER: Newcastle City (MR 80.00), Terrigal Avoca (77.77), Warners Bay (77.77), Nelson Bay (66.66), Cardiff (40.00), Killarney Vale (33.33), The Entrance-Bateau Bay (20.00), Maitland (11.11)
Wayd Blackburne knew he had a fair side ahead of the 2025 Hunter Central Coast AFL season.
But he didn't expect the Nelson Bay Marlins to be competing in the first-grade competition, let alone challenging for a finals berth in the Black Diamond Cup.
The Marlins started the year in the second-division Black Diamond Plate, but after three huge victories - posting 200-point scores in two of them - they opted to move up to Cup.
The rare in-season elevation forced a change to how Cup teams will now qualify for finals, given the Marlins come in late, but it has proved the right move for the Port Stephens club.
They've won four of six games, and beaten the likes of 2024 grand finalists Cardiff twice, 2022 premiers Killarney Vale and pushed Warners Bay all the way in a five-point loss.
"We were in second grade and ... beating teams by a decent margin, and we just thought it wasn't great for competition, both ways. No one gets a lot out of beating teams like that," Blackburne, a Nelson Bay local who took over as Marlins coach this year after playing several seasons in Sydney, said.
"We had a meeting after a big win and said: 'Do you want to go up and try and challenge ourselves?', and the group said: ''Yes'."
"We got off to a really good start with three wins and people buying in.
"We've come up against some good sides and had a couple of losses, but we had a good win on the weekend again and are sitting OK."
Nelson Bay's latest triumph, beating Cardiff 10.8 (68) to 5.14 (44) on Saturday, has them placed fourth ahead of their remaining seven games.
A team's wins divided by matches played - rather than competition points - will determine their ladder position.
The Marlins have a mixed run home, facing some of the struggling sides but also second-placed Terrigal Avoca, who beat them by 85 points a fortnight ago, and leaders Newcastle City twice, including this Saturday.
"There's a couple of winnable games there, but we're definitely thinking about it, I wouldn't say we're not, that's for sure," Blackburne said of whether the Marlins were targeting a top-four finals spot.
"We went 3-0 and then when you lose a couple you think you're back to the pack a bit. We knew we had to win on the weekend against Cardiff.
"For us, yeah you want to play finals, but it's more about growing the group.
"With Nelson Bay, we're so out of area compared to other clubs. We only have 30 on our list and only have one team. Sometimes people are missing out on games, and sometimes we're struggling to get 22, 23 players a week.
"We make do with what we've got, and always give it a red-hot crack."
Blackburne becoming player-coach helped lure the returns of Jayden Baldwin-Rymer, Billy Barton and Jason Carey.
"Blokes like that who had played previously but had some time off," he said.
"The Grant brothers [Zane and Adam] have been unreal, Mitch Walls up front ... The Blyth boys are always really good - the three brothers [Adam, Lachlan and Matthew] ... we're very grateful for them."
The Marlins, who were last in first grade in 2023 after winning the 2022 second-grade flag, have not made finals in the top division since 2017.
Their best finish to a first-grade season in the past decade was when they ran third in 2016, advancing to the preliminary final. Nelson Bay also sit fourth in the women's second division.
"The club's in a really good spot," Blackburne said.
"To go up to first grade and be competitive, that was the main thing for us ... there's some really tough games there and that will sort us out. But if we can stay competitive and be in games, we will give ourselves a chance."
In other games on Saturday, Terrigal Avoca 14.6 (90) beat Newcastle City 7.12 (54), The Entrance-Bateau Bay 12.5 (77) held off Maitland 9.8 (62), and Wanrers Bay 13.15 (93) rolled Killarney Vale 9.4 (50) to record their fifth consecutive win.
MEN'S CUP LADDER: Newcastle City (MR 80.00), Terrigal Avoca (77.77), Warners Bay (77.77), Nelson Bay (66.66), Cardiff (40.00), Killarney Vale (33.33), The Entrance-Bateau Bay (20.00), Maitland (11.11)
Wayd Blackburne knew he had a fair side ahead of the 2025 Hunter Central Coast AFL season.
But he didn't expect the Nelson Bay Marlins to be competing in the first-grade competition, let alone challenging for a finals berth in the Black Diamond Cup.
The Marlins started the year in the second-division Black Diamond Plate, but after three huge victories - posting 200-point scores in two of them - they opted to move up to Cup.
The rare in-season elevation forced a change to how Cup teams will now qualify for finals, given the Marlins come in late, but it has proved the right move for the Port Stephens club.
They've won four of six games, and beaten the likes of 2024 grand finalists Cardiff twice, 2022 premiers Killarney Vale and pushed Warners Bay all the way in a five-point loss.
"We were in second grade and ... beating teams by a decent margin, and we just thought it wasn't great for competition, both ways. No one gets a lot out of beating teams like that," Blackburne, a Nelson Bay local who took over as Marlins coach this year after playing several seasons in Sydney, said.
"We had a meeting after a big win and said: 'Do you want to go up and try and challenge ourselves?', and the group said: ''Yes'."
"We got off to a really good start with three wins and people buying in.
"We've come up against some good sides and had a couple of losses, but we had a good win on the weekend again and are sitting OK."
Nelson Bay's latest triumph, beating Cardiff 10.8 (68) to 5.14 (44) on Saturday, has them placed fourth ahead of their remaining seven games.
A team's wins divided by matches played - rather than competition points - will determine their ladder position.
The Marlins have a mixed run home, facing some of the struggling sides but also second-placed Terrigal Avoca, who beat them by 85 points a fortnight ago, and leaders Newcastle City twice, including this Saturday.
"There's a couple of winnable games there, but we're definitely thinking about it, I wouldn't say we're not, that's for sure," Blackburne said of whether the Marlins were targeting a top-four finals spot.
"We went 3-0 and then when you lose a couple you think you're back to the pack a bit. We knew we had to win on the weekend against Cardiff.
"For us, yeah you want to play finals, but it's more about growing the group.
"With Nelson Bay, we're so out of area compared to other clubs. We only have 30 on our list and only have one team. Sometimes people are missing out on games, and sometimes we're struggling to get 22, 23 players a week.
"We make do with what we've got, and always give it a red-hot crack."
Blackburne becoming player-coach helped lure the returns of Jayden Baldwin-Rymer, Billy Barton and Jason Carey.
"Blokes like that who had played previously but had some time off," he said.
"The Grant brothers [Zane and Adam] have been unreal, Mitch Walls up front ... The Blyth boys are always really good - the three brothers [Adam, Lachlan and Matthew] ... we're very grateful for them."
The Marlins, who were last in first grade in 2023 after winning the 2022 second-grade flag, have not made finals in the top division since 2017.
Their best finish to a first-grade season in the past decade was when they ran third in 2016, advancing to the preliminary final. Nelson Bay also sit fourth in the women's second division.
"The club's in a really good spot," Blackburne said.
"To go up to first grade and be competitive, that was the main thing for us ... there's some really tough games there and that will sort us out. But if we can stay competitive and be in games, we will give ourselves a chance."
In other games on Saturday, Terrigal Avoca 14.6 (90) beat Newcastle City 7.12 (54), The Entrance-Bateau Bay 12.5 (77) held off Maitland 9.8 (62), and Wanrers Bay 13.15 (93) rolled Killarney Vale 9.4 (50) to record their fifth consecutive win.
MEN'S CUP LADDER: Newcastle City (MR 80.00), Terrigal Avoca (77.77), Warners Bay (77.77), Nelson Bay (66.66), Cardiff (40.00), Killarney Vale (33.33), The Entrance-Bateau Bay (20.00), Maitland (11.11)
Wayd Blackburne knew he had a fair side ahead of the 2025 Hunter Central Coast AFL season.
But he didn't expect the Nelson Bay Marlins to be competing in the first-grade competition, let alone challenging for a finals berth in the Black Diamond Cup.
The Marlins started the year in the second-division Black Diamond Plate, but after three huge victories - posting 200-point scores in two of them - they opted to move up to Cup.
The rare in-season elevation forced a change to how Cup teams will now qualify for finals, given the Marlins come in late, but it has proved the right move for the Port Stephens club.
They've won four of six games, and beaten the likes of 2024 grand finalists Cardiff twice, 2022 premiers Killarney Vale and pushed Warners Bay all the way in a five-point loss.
"We were in second grade and ... beating teams by a decent margin, and we just thought it wasn't great for competition, both ways. No one gets a lot out of beating teams like that," Blackburne, a Nelson Bay local who took over as Marlins coach this year after playing several seasons in Sydney, said.
"We had a meeting after a big win and said: 'Do you want to go up and try and challenge ourselves?', and the group said: ''Yes'."
"We got off to a really good start with three wins and people buying in.
"We've come up against some good sides and had a couple of losses, but we had a good win on the weekend again and are sitting OK."
Nelson Bay's latest triumph, beating Cardiff 10.8 (68) to 5.14 (44) on Saturday, has them placed fourth ahead of their remaining seven games.
A team's wins divided by matches played - rather than competition points - will determine their ladder position.
The Marlins have a mixed run home, facing some of the struggling sides but also second-placed Terrigal Avoca, who beat them by 85 points a fortnight ago, and leaders Newcastle City twice, including this Saturday.
"There's a couple of winnable games there, but we're definitely thinking about it, I wouldn't say we're not, that's for sure," Blackburne said of whether the Marlins were targeting a top-four finals spot.
"We went 3-0 and then when you lose a couple you think you're back to the pack a bit. We knew we had to win on the weekend against Cardiff.
"For us, yeah you want to play finals, but it's more about growing the group.
"With Nelson Bay, we're so out of area compared to other clubs. We only have 30 on our list and only have one team. Sometimes people are missing out on games, and sometimes we're struggling to get 22, 23 players a week.
"We make do with what we've got, and always give it a red-hot crack."
Blackburne becoming player-coach helped lure the returns of Jayden Baldwin-Rymer, Billy Barton and Jason Carey.
"Blokes like that who had played previously but had some time off," he said.
"The Grant brothers [Zane and Adam] have been unreal, Mitch Walls up front ... The Blyth boys are always really good - the three brothers [Adam, Lachlan and Matthew] ... we're very grateful for them."
The Marlins, who were last in first grade in 2023 after winning the 2022 second-grade flag, have not made finals in the top division since 2017.
Their best finish to a first-grade season in the past decade was when they ran third in 2016, advancing to the preliminary final. Nelson Bay also sit fourth in the women's second division.
"The club's in a really good spot," Blackburne said.
"To go up to first grade and be competitive, that was the main thing for us ... there's some really tough games there and that will sort us out. But if we can stay competitive and be in games, we will give ourselves a chance."
In other games on Saturday, Terrigal Avoca 14.6 (90) beat Newcastle City 7.12 (54), The Entrance-Bateau Bay 12.5 (77) held off Maitland 9.8 (62), and Wanrers Bay 13.15 (93) rolled Killarney Vale 9.4 (50) to record their fifth consecutive win.
MEN'S CUP LADDER: Newcastle City (MR 80.00), Terrigal Avoca (77.77), Warners Bay (77.77), Nelson Bay (66.66), Cardiff (40.00), Killarney Vale (33.33), The Entrance-Bateau Bay (20.00), Maitland (11.11)
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a day ago
- The Advertiser
They made a career switch nine years ago to build something special. The moment has arrived
Alex Gillespie and Dan Yaxley have been there for some of Cooks Hill United Football Club's biggest occasions. But nothing is likely to compare to an appearance in the Australia Cup round of 32 against Adelaide Croatia in Adelaide on Wednesday night for the club's long-serving players. Cooks Hill and Weston, who will be hosted by Victorian National Premier Leagues (NPL) heavyweights Heidelberg United on Wednesday night, are into the final stage of the nationwide knockout soccer competition for the first time. The opportunity is huge for one of Northern NSW Football's oldest clubs and one of its youngest. "It's massive because this is one of the biggest moments in my career, to get a chance like this," Gillespie told the Newcastle Herald. "There's probably not too many years left in the legs, so it will definitely be a good experience and one that will give us that bit of a professional environment. "That is something that Zoro [coach Chris Zoricich] has had most of his career and will give us a little bit of a taste of it." The 34-year-old centre-back was among a group of players who joined Cooks Hill in 2017 determined to build something special. They helped spark a premiership threepeat in Northern League One after the club had finished eighth in Northern NSW Football's second-tier competition in 2016. Promotion to the top-flight NPL followed in 2022. Now, eight years on, and in their ninth campaign in Cooks Hill colours, Gillespie, Yaxley and Daniel Clements remain from that group and are set for another milestone moment. "That is why we thought we were so successful for so long, because we had that good, core group," Gillespie said. "We had Daniel Yaxley, Nick Russell, who hung up the boots this year, Ash [Balcomb], who is coaching our reserve grade now, Dan Clements. "We kept that core group for a while, and we're just trying to hang on as long as we can. "It's been good keeping the boys together, the older group, to sort of pass the baton to the younger boys who are coming through now." Cooks Hill, founded in 1997, booked their maiden appearance in the Cup play-offs by pulling off a stunning upset to beat NPL Northern NSW (NNSW) heavyweights Broadmeadow 2-1 in June. Magic are defending NPL NNSW premiers and champions and share the competition lead with Edgeworth on 50 points. Cooks Hill, who's highest finish in NPL has been seventh, are eighth on 21 points, four points below the top five with five games to play. "The boys stepped up big for that game, and it shows that big moments can win the game, which is what we're hoping for in Adelaide," Gillespie said. "We don't see why we can't keep this run going." READ MORE: Broadmeadow and Edgeworth have both previously made it through to the Cup's round of 16, and Yaxley, 31, hopes Cooks Hill can also achieve the feat. "Anything can happen in the Cup, which is why it's so exciting, and, now that we're here, we just want to soak it in and make the club proud as well," Yaxley, who plays wing or fullback, said. "There are so many people that work so hard for the club, volunteers, that it will be a good opportunity to do it for them as well." Cooks Hill and the Bears are NNSW Football's representatives in the Cup's main draw, where they join 21 other qualifiers from NPL competitions around the country and 11 A-League clubs. Weston progressed after beating Edgeworth 1-1 (3-1) on penalties following an epic 120-minute exchange. George Stephens produced some goalkeeping heroics in that match, denying three successive Edgeworth attempts from the spot to seal the win and etch his name in Weston folklore. But, in a blow for the young shot-stopper and the Bears, Stephens has been ruled out of the Cup clash on Wednesday night due to concussion. Weston will take keepers Jack Butler and Gerard Roebuck to Melbourne. Like the Bears, who were founded in 1907, Heidelberg United have a rich football history. They were a founding member of the old National Soccer League and have reached the Australia Cup quarter-finals on multiple occasions. Heidelberg are top of the NPL Victoria standings while Weston (37 points) are third in NPL NNSW. Both games kick off at 7.30pm AEST on Wednesday night and are being streamed through Football Australia's YouTube channel. Alex Gillespie and Dan Yaxley have been there for some of Cooks Hill United Football Club's biggest occasions. But nothing is likely to compare to an appearance in the Australia Cup round of 32 against Adelaide Croatia in Adelaide on Wednesday night for the club's long-serving players. Cooks Hill and Weston, who will be hosted by Victorian National Premier Leagues (NPL) heavyweights Heidelberg United on Wednesday night, are into the final stage of the nationwide knockout soccer competition for the first time. The opportunity is huge for one of Northern NSW Football's oldest clubs and one of its youngest. "It's massive because this is one of the biggest moments in my career, to get a chance like this," Gillespie told the Newcastle Herald. "There's probably not too many years left in the legs, so it will definitely be a good experience and one that will give us that bit of a professional environment. "That is something that Zoro [coach Chris Zoricich] has had most of his career and will give us a little bit of a taste of it." The 34-year-old centre-back was among a group of players who joined Cooks Hill in 2017 determined to build something special. They helped spark a premiership threepeat in Northern League One after the club had finished eighth in Northern NSW Football's second-tier competition in 2016. Promotion to the top-flight NPL followed in 2022. Now, eight years on, and in their ninth campaign in Cooks Hill colours, Gillespie, Yaxley and Daniel Clements remain from that group and are set for another milestone moment. "That is why we thought we were so successful for so long, because we had that good, core group," Gillespie said. "We had Daniel Yaxley, Nick Russell, who hung up the boots this year, Ash [Balcomb], who is coaching our reserve grade now, Dan Clements. "We kept that core group for a while, and we're just trying to hang on as long as we can. "It's been good keeping the boys together, the older group, to sort of pass the baton to the younger boys who are coming through now." Cooks Hill, founded in 1997, booked their maiden appearance in the Cup play-offs by pulling off a stunning upset to beat NPL Northern NSW (NNSW) heavyweights Broadmeadow 2-1 in June. Magic are defending NPL NNSW premiers and champions and share the competition lead with Edgeworth on 50 points. Cooks Hill, who's highest finish in NPL has been seventh, are eighth on 21 points, four points below the top five with five games to play. "The boys stepped up big for that game, and it shows that big moments can win the game, which is what we're hoping for in Adelaide," Gillespie said. "We don't see why we can't keep this run going." READ MORE: Broadmeadow and Edgeworth have both previously made it through to the Cup's round of 16, and Yaxley, 31, hopes Cooks Hill can also achieve the feat. "Anything can happen in the Cup, which is why it's so exciting, and, now that we're here, we just want to soak it in and make the club proud as well," Yaxley, who plays wing or fullback, said. "There are so many people that work so hard for the club, volunteers, that it will be a good opportunity to do it for them as well." Cooks Hill and the Bears are NNSW Football's representatives in the Cup's main draw, where they join 21 other qualifiers from NPL competitions around the country and 11 A-League clubs. Weston progressed after beating Edgeworth 1-1 (3-1) on penalties following an epic 120-minute exchange. George Stephens produced some goalkeeping heroics in that match, denying three successive Edgeworth attempts from the spot to seal the win and etch his name in Weston folklore. But, in a blow for the young shot-stopper and the Bears, Stephens has been ruled out of the Cup clash on Wednesday night due to concussion. Weston will take keepers Jack Butler and Gerard Roebuck to Melbourne. Like the Bears, who were founded in 1907, Heidelberg United have a rich football history. They were a founding member of the old National Soccer League and have reached the Australia Cup quarter-finals on multiple occasions. Heidelberg are top of the NPL Victoria standings while Weston (37 points) are third in NPL NNSW. Both games kick off at 7.30pm AEST on Wednesday night and are being streamed through Football Australia's YouTube channel. Alex Gillespie and Dan Yaxley have been there for some of Cooks Hill United Football Club's biggest occasions. But nothing is likely to compare to an appearance in the Australia Cup round of 32 against Adelaide Croatia in Adelaide on Wednesday night for the club's long-serving players. Cooks Hill and Weston, who will be hosted by Victorian National Premier Leagues (NPL) heavyweights Heidelberg United on Wednesday night, are into the final stage of the nationwide knockout soccer competition for the first time. The opportunity is huge for one of Northern NSW Football's oldest clubs and one of its youngest. "It's massive because this is one of the biggest moments in my career, to get a chance like this," Gillespie told the Newcastle Herald. "There's probably not too many years left in the legs, so it will definitely be a good experience and one that will give us that bit of a professional environment. "That is something that Zoro [coach Chris Zoricich] has had most of his career and will give us a little bit of a taste of it." The 34-year-old centre-back was among a group of players who joined Cooks Hill in 2017 determined to build something special. They helped spark a premiership threepeat in Northern League One after the club had finished eighth in Northern NSW Football's second-tier competition in 2016. Promotion to the top-flight NPL followed in 2022. Now, eight years on, and in their ninth campaign in Cooks Hill colours, Gillespie, Yaxley and Daniel Clements remain from that group and are set for another milestone moment. "That is why we thought we were so successful for so long, because we had that good, core group," Gillespie said. "We had Daniel Yaxley, Nick Russell, who hung up the boots this year, Ash [Balcomb], who is coaching our reserve grade now, Dan Clements. "We kept that core group for a while, and we're just trying to hang on as long as we can. "It's been good keeping the boys together, the older group, to sort of pass the baton to the younger boys who are coming through now." Cooks Hill, founded in 1997, booked their maiden appearance in the Cup play-offs by pulling off a stunning upset to beat NPL Northern NSW (NNSW) heavyweights Broadmeadow 2-1 in June. Magic are defending NPL NNSW premiers and champions and share the competition lead with Edgeworth on 50 points. Cooks Hill, who's highest finish in NPL has been seventh, are eighth on 21 points, four points below the top five with five games to play. "The boys stepped up big for that game, and it shows that big moments can win the game, which is what we're hoping for in Adelaide," Gillespie said. "We don't see why we can't keep this run going." READ MORE: Broadmeadow and Edgeworth have both previously made it through to the Cup's round of 16, and Yaxley, 31, hopes Cooks Hill can also achieve the feat. "Anything can happen in the Cup, which is why it's so exciting, and, now that we're here, we just want to soak it in and make the club proud as well," Yaxley, who plays wing or fullback, said. "There are so many people that work so hard for the club, volunteers, that it will be a good opportunity to do it for them as well." Cooks Hill and the Bears are NNSW Football's representatives in the Cup's main draw, where they join 21 other qualifiers from NPL competitions around the country and 11 A-League clubs. Weston progressed after beating Edgeworth 1-1 (3-1) on penalties following an epic 120-minute exchange. George Stephens produced some goalkeeping heroics in that match, denying three successive Edgeworth attempts from the spot to seal the win and etch his name in Weston folklore. But, in a blow for the young shot-stopper and the Bears, Stephens has been ruled out of the Cup clash on Wednesday night due to concussion. Weston will take keepers Jack Butler and Gerard Roebuck to Melbourne. Like the Bears, who were founded in 1907, Heidelberg United have a rich football history. They were a founding member of the old National Soccer League and have reached the Australia Cup quarter-finals on multiple occasions. Heidelberg are top of the NPL Victoria standings while Weston (37 points) are third in NPL NNSW. Both games kick off at 7.30pm AEST on Wednesday night and are being streamed through Football Australia's YouTube channel. Alex Gillespie and Dan Yaxley have been there for some of Cooks Hill United Football Club's biggest occasions. But nothing is likely to compare to an appearance in the Australia Cup round of 32 against Adelaide Croatia in Adelaide on Wednesday night for the club's long-serving players. Cooks Hill and Weston, who will be hosted by Victorian National Premier Leagues (NPL) heavyweights Heidelberg United on Wednesday night, are into the final stage of the nationwide knockout soccer competition for the first time. The opportunity is huge for one of Northern NSW Football's oldest clubs and one of its youngest. "It's massive because this is one of the biggest moments in my career, to get a chance like this," Gillespie told the Newcastle Herald. "There's probably not too many years left in the legs, so it will definitely be a good experience and one that will give us that bit of a professional environment. "That is something that Zoro [coach Chris Zoricich] has had most of his career and will give us a little bit of a taste of it." The 34-year-old centre-back was among a group of players who joined Cooks Hill in 2017 determined to build something special. They helped spark a premiership threepeat in Northern League One after the club had finished eighth in Northern NSW Football's second-tier competition in 2016. Promotion to the top-flight NPL followed in 2022. Now, eight years on, and in their ninth campaign in Cooks Hill colours, Gillespie, Yaxley and Daniel Clements remain from that group and are set for another milestone moment. "That is why we thought we were so successful for so long, because we had that good, core group," Gillespie said. "We had Daniel Yaxley, Nick Russell, who hung up the boots this year, Ash [Balcomb], who is coaching our reserve grade now, Dan Clements. "We kept that core group for a while, and we're just trying to hang on as long as we can. "It's been good keeping the boys together, the older group, to sort of pass the baton to the younger boys who are coming through now." Cooks Hill, founded in 1997, booked their maiden appearance in the Cup play-offs by pulling off a stunning upset to beat NPL Northern NSW (NNSW) heavyweights Broadmeadow 2-1 in June. Magic are defending NPL NNSW premiers and champions and share the competition lead with Edgeworth on 50 points. Cooks Hill, who's highest finish in NPL has been seventh, are eighth on 21 points, four points below the top five with five games to play. "The boys stepped up big for that game, and it shows that big moments can win the game, which is what we're hoping for in Adelaide," Gillespie said. "We don't see why we can't keep this run going." READ MORE: Broadmeadow and Edgeworth have both previously made it through to the Cup's round of 16, and Yaxley, 31, hopes Cooks Hill can also achieve the feat. "Anything can happen in the Cup, which is why it's so exciting, and, now that we're here, we just want to soak it in and make the club proud as well," Yaxley, who plays wing or fullback, said. "There are so many people that work so hard for the club, volunteers, that it will be a good opportunity to do it for them as well." Cooks Hill and the Bears are NNSW Football's representatives in the Cup's main draw, where they join 21 other qualifiers from NPL competitions around the country and 11 A-League clubs. Weston progressed after beating Edgeworth 1-1 (3-1) on penalties following an epic 120-minute exchange. George Stephens produced some goalkeeping heroics in that match, denying three successive Edgeworth attempts from the spot to seal the win and etch his name in Weston folklore. But, in a blow for the young shot-stopper and the Bears, Stephens has been ruled out of the Cup clash on Wednesday night due to concussion. Weston will take keepers Jack Butler and Gerard Roebuck to Melbourne. Like the Bears, who were founded in 1907, Heidelberg United have a rich football history. They were a founding member of the old National Soccer League and have reached the Australia Cup quarter-finals on multiple occasions. Heidelberg are top of the NPL Victoria standings while Weston (37 points) are third in NPL NNSW. Both games kick off at 7.30pm AEST on Wednesday night and are being streamed through Football Australia's YouTube channel.

News.com.au
a day ago
- News.com.au
Del Castillo and Spain 'full of hope' ahead of Germany Euro 2025 semi
From being a bit-part player in the team that won the Women's World Cup two years ago, Athenea del Castillo has performed a key role in Spain's run to the semi-finals of Euro 2025, in which they will face Germany on Wednesday. The Real Madrid attacker, 24, was brought into Spain's starting line-up for their last group game against Italy and scored an early equaliser before her team went on to win 3-1. She was then relegated back to the bench for the last-eight tie against hosts Switzerland in Bern but the game changed after her introduction as a substitute just past the hour mark. Del Castillo replaced Mariona Caldentey and broke the deadlock four minutes later, setting Spain up for a 2-0 victory -- and surely giving coach Montse Tome a selection headache for the clash with Germany in Zurich. "I have to just focus on the things that I can influence. Luckily I am managing to help the team whatever my role is, whether I am starting or not," Del Castillo told AFP at the Spanish team's base in Lausanne. A win for Spain against Germany will keep them on track to add a first ever European crown to the World Cup they won in 2023, when they defeated England in the final. "We are full of hope, we are so excited. We dream of being European champions but to do that we need to win on Wednesday so all our energy is going into that game," Del Castillo said. "We know all about the potential in the Germany team. They are a great side who have been European champions eight times after all." Spain still lean heavily on the players who won them the World Cup, notably Ballon d'Or Aitana Bonmati as well as her fellow Barcelona stars Alexia Putellas and Irene Paredes. But Del Castillo, while not yet a guaranteed starter, has become a more important player than during that tournament in Australia and New Zealand. Then, under previous coach Jorge Vilda, she started the team's first match before gradually disappearing from circulation. She then featured in the side that participated in the 2024 Olympics and lost to Germany in the bronze medal match -- a defeat they will seek to avenge on Wednesday. - Infectious - "We have been through so much together and that has helped us mature as a team," she said on the margins of a training session by Lake Geneva. "I still see myself as one of the youngsters even though there are players much younger than me like Vicky (Lopez) and Maite (Zubieta), and then there are older players like Irene and Alexia who have been around longer and been to so many more tournaments. "We have that mix of youth and experience, of joy but also maturity." Del Castillo is known for her glowing smile and infectious personality, and she has no intention of changing even as she becomes more and more recognisable thanks to her exploits with Spain and Real. "I have not changed much. I still do the same things, I still try to enjoy life and luckily everything is going well at home, with my family and friends," said the native of Cantabria in northern Spain. "I am very happy in Madrid -- I prefer the north but I like Madrid as a city. I love to go out for a wander, listen to music, be with my family. "If I changed what I did off the pitch that would also change me on it and I don't like that because then I would lose my essence." Despite still being at a relatively tender age, the player who idolised Cristiano Ronaldo growing up now has over 60 caps and is conscious of being a leader in the Spain squad. "I know how to differentiate between moments when you have to work and times when you can give a little bit of joy," she said, before suggesting that the side has improved since losing to Germany at last year's Olympics. "I think we have matured a lot since then. We are better at controlling games in different moments now. I think that will help us, but it will above all be about staying calm and focusing on our objective."

Courier-Mail
3 days ago
- Courier-Mail
Leap To Fame races to Inter Dominion glory
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. CHAMPION rival driver Luke McCarthy hailed Leap To Fame the greatest pacer he had seen after the Queensland champion romped his way to a second record-breaking Inter Dominion pacing final win at Albion Park on Saturday night. In front of a packed and one-eyed local crowd, Leap To Fame romped away for his 22nd successive win at his home track and his 56th win from just 69 lifetime starts. The $540,000 first prize also made him the all-time richest pacer in this part of the world with $4,630,884 – surpassing another great Queenslander, Blacks A Fake's $4,575,438 stakes tally. McCarthy, who finished fourth on defending Inter Dominion champion Don Hugo, said: 'He's amazing. He's not just the greatest stayer we've seen, he's the best horse full stop.' • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Leap To Fame has now contested seven Inter Dominion races, five heats and two finals, and won them all. He started the shortest priced favourite ($1.22) since the Inter Dominion began in 1936 and, after being crossed at the start, worked around to take the lead and was never in danger. 'This time it's more of a relief, the expectation was just so huge,' trainer-driver Grant Dixon said. 'We had a little scare during the week. He bucked and knocked his leg, which he's never done, but thankfully it wasn't anything serious.' Leap To Fame became just the eighth pacer to win multiple Inter Dominion finals and owners Kevin and Kay Seymour hinted strongly at chasing a third crown, which only three other pacers have done (Blacks A Fake, Im Themightyquinn and Our Sir Vancelot). 'The big studs have been coming hard at us to retire him, but we'll hold off for at least another year,' Kevin Seymour said. 'We've been in the game over 50 years and this is the horse we've dreamt of getting … Kay won't let me retire him, at least not for a while yet. 'It's important everyone understands the huge role Grant and Trista Dixon have played in making this horse.' In typical Seymour fashion, he said the winning trophy would go to Albion Park track photographer, Dan Costello, who is facing a huge battle with cancer. 'Dan's one of nature's gentlemen and is going through a really hard time. I'd love him to have the trophy and Kay and I will donate $100,000 of the prize money towards Dan's medical bills,' he said. Leap To Fame will have a break before aiming at another first, victory in NZ's most iconic race of any code, the NZ Cup at Addington in Christchurch in November. Earlier, star Victorian trotter Arcee Phoenix smashed through the $1 million prize money barrier with an emotion-charged $500,000 Inter Dominion trotting final win. Arcee Phoenix wins the Inter Dominion Trotting Grand Final Picture: Dan Costello Trainer-driver Chris Svanosio praised his late father-in-law, Dr Alistair McLean, for his guidance with Arcee Phoenix as a talented but raw youngster. 'Without him, this horse may well not have raced at all and now he's here as a six-year-old winning the Inter Dominion,' Svanosio said. 'There's lots of feelings at the moments, emotional, excitement and just relief after such a big build-up … we did it.' Arcee Phoenix became just the fifth Aussie-trained trotter to bank over a million with first prize taking him to $1,016,280. · Adam Hamilton is a paid contributor writing on harness racing for News Corp. PHOTOS: Dan Costello Originally published as Superstar pacer Leap To Fame streaks to effortless Inter Dominion victory