The Saints are one of the fastest growing clubs in the region and president Kevin Greaves estimated Maitland was about three years away from taking part in the Hunter’s top tier Australian rules competition.

“We are looking between the next three to five years,” Greaves said. “You want to make sure you have the depth to not only just be there, but be competitive as well.”

Greaves said there was already a substantial gap between the top and bottom in the Black Diamond competition, whose grand finals will be held at Newcastle No.1 Sportsground on Saturday. 

He said there was no need for the Saints to rush the process, which also required an invitation from Black Diamond officials.

The Saints have just completed their third ­season back in senior competition and their second with sides in both first and second divisions after initially forming with 17 AusKick kids in 2007.

The Saints were eliminated after the opening week of finals, but Jim Taranto was named first division player of the year with Wade Beard second on the season count and captain Rob Eddy fourth.

Greaves said the Saints had 60 seniors on the books with 130 juniors, from under 9s to under 17s, and 20 in the AusKick program.

He would like to increase this before having a tilt at the top tier, which may involve enticing locals playing elsewhere back to the area.

“You still need to have two teams when you’re in Black Diamond, so to run two teams, well you need 70 regular players,” Greaves said.

“We would also start to look at attracting players back who want to help out a developing club.

“There are also clubs with 150 or 160 players on the books and only three teams so there are blokes out there not getting a run.”

If the Saints were to join the Black Diamond Cup they would be alongside the Pickers (Newcastle Rugby League), Blacks (Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union), Rams (Hunter Coast Premier Hockey League), Mustangs (Basketball NSW Waratah Championship League) and recently promoted Magpies (Northern NSW Football National Premier League) as a Maitland sporting entity playing top grade competition for their respective winter code.

Greaves said it would add to the diversity of sport in the city and help write another chapter in the already long history of Australian rules in Maitland.

“Maitland has a rich history [in Australian rules] with records showing a game against South Melbourne up here in 1881,” Greaves said. 

“Maitland was in the top grade for a long time and there is a proud tradition in the area.

“Being an AFL hub just off the freeway, the potential is enormous along with the levels of exposure.

“It would be a huge thing.”

BLACK DIAMOND AFL GRAND FINALS

Newcastle No.1 Sportsground on Saturday, September 6

First Grade: Terrigal Avoca v Killarney Vale (2.30pm)

First Division: Wyong Lakes v Newcastle City (12pm)

Second Division: Newcastle City v Terrigal Avoca (9.45am)