BY ALEX TIGANI
A talented group of Singleton junior AFL talents had a weekend to remember at the Central Coast Sporting Complex.
For the second straight year, the Hunter Country line-up captured a 4-0 record when competing in the AFL Hunter Central Coast Challenge Cup Youth Girls 15 competition.
The talented side featured Singleton talents Alex Neyland (co-captain), Molly Thomas, Ella Radmacher, Milla Hauville, Milly Stephenson, Kelly Andrews, Matilda Ord, Elise Kerr, Keely Harris, Ella Northey, Ineke Sunderland, Georgia Dunn and Maegan Downes as well as prolific goal-kicker Sienna Harley and side-lined ruck talent Maddison Marsh (both on permit to Singleton from Port Stephens).
The local theme continued when former Singleton junior Amalie Ford (Warners Bay) was named as co-captain while Lambs Valley talent Rara Russell (Maitland Saints) was announced as deputy.
“This year the Singleton girls gave us depth throughout every game everywhere on the field,” Ford told The Hunter River Times.
“Even though I’ve played for Singleton in the past, there were girls I’ve never played with before that impressed me.
“Girls footy in and around the Hunter is growing and improving.”
The line-up commenced their campaign with a 5.13 (43) to 2.1 (13) win over the Central Coast and a 7.7 (49) to 2.5 (17) win over Hunter Metro on Saturday.
The following day the commenced afternoon with a 5.9 (39) to 0.4 (4) win over Metro before holding off a gallant Central Coast 8.9 (57) to 3.4 (22).
Hunter Country also finished with a 4-0 record in the Boys 13 competition coached by Singleton Rooster Daltyn McCartney. His side featured four Singleton Roosters.
“The boys played really well with Elliot Taylor dominating each ruck contest across the two days,” McCartney told The Hunter River Times.
“Owen Trickey moved to Centre Half Back to strengthen the backline, not allowing anything to go past.
“Elliot Mole received a coaches award for being vocal across both days and at his clinical best while Zac Jones showed that he is a very versatile player playing all positions at a high standard.”
Fintan Trickey also starred for the Hunter Country Boys 15 team which was mentored by Singleton Roosters’ men’s coach Neil Barton.
MEANWHILE Singleton trio Luke Dunn, Jackson Maskey and Dorian Thornberry also celebrated an undefeated campaign for the Hunter Metro Boys 17 side.
“It doesn’t matter if you won or lost all four games at Tuggerah,” the Hunter Country Youth Girls 15 coach added.
“Each player returned to the Upper Hunter knowing that they had represented their region with pride and now we’re all in preparation for the next tournament to be held at Coffs Harbour.”
