Maitland Saints big man Ben Crowley enjoyed a rare foray forward with seven goals in the Saints 88-point victory against Lake Macquarie.
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Crowley, who has been the linchpin of the Saints defence, formed a two-pronged attack with Mitch McKee in the absence or regular forward stars Wade Beard and Patrick McMahon.
McMahon was unavailable this week and Beard is recovering from a broke collarbone and is expected to be back before the finals.
Ben Stewart was again dominant in the midfield along with Mitchell Greaves.
Division 2 coach Hugh Matheson, Gregory Mudd and Rob Eddy were also in the best.
Eddy continues to make a strong return from injury.
The Saints are continuing to clock up wins despite missing injured stars Bear and best and fairest Jim Taranto and sit third on the ladder, a game clear of Gosford in fourth.
Gosford had an upset win against Singleton which has left the Roosters on equal points with the Saints, separated by percentage. Newcastle City is a game clear on top.
A top-two finish would boost the Saints premiership hopes.
The Saints women’s team showed how far they had progressed with a narrow loss to Cardiff at Newcastle No. 1 Sportsground.
The Saints held the Hawks to just two points in the final term, but a goal from representative player Jess Cassidy was not enough to bridge the gap with the Saints losing by six points.
Cardiff are fourth on the ladder and defeated the Saints by 34 points in their round two clash.
The Saints have boosted player numbers since then and leading players Cassidy, Sarah James, Taylor Quinton-Widl and Jade Bassett.
James led the way up front with two goals, Amanda Smith and Rhianon Denniss also got singles.
Quinton-Widl, Smith, Cassidy, Anna Fraser, Maddison Jackson and Jana Melis were the Saints best.
BDAFL Division 1
Maitland 1.3, 5.6, 11.7, 14.11-95
Lake Macquarie 1.0, 1.0, 1.1, 1.1-7
MAITLAND: Goals: B. Crowley 7, M. McKee 3, J. Button 2, M. Greaves, K. Ritchie. Best: B. Stewart, H. Matheson, G. Mudd, B. Crowley, R. Eddy, M. Greaves
BDAFL Women’s
Cardiff 2.4, 3.5, 5.9, 5.11-41
Maitland 1.0, 4.1, 4.2, 5.5-35
MAITLAND: Goals: S. James 2, A. Smith, J. Cassidy, R. Denniss. Bess: T. Quinton-Widl, A. Smith, J. Cassidy, A. Fraser, M. Jackson, J. Melis
