Maitland Saints play Newcastle City for spot in grand final

The Saints led by 11 points at the three-quarter-time but were overrun with a six goals to one effort by the Roosters in the final term.

The Roosters have progressed to the grand final on September 3. 

Experience duo Ben Stewart and Rob Eddy were the Saints best, with strong support from the Damico brothers Luke and Aiden, Cameon Mitchell and Chris Pedler.

In his second game back from injury Wade Beard led the way up front with four goals. 

Small forward Josh Button chimed in with three and Pedler kicked two.

The Saint will be looking for a lift from their midfield to back up the tireless Stewart, who has seldom been outside the Maitland’s best since coming to the club this season from Premier League team Cardiff Hawks.

The Saints also need to exploit their marking power with Beard and BDAFL representative Pat McMahon up forward. They will be sweating on an injury to key backman Andrew Elbourn but do have options to fill his tall defender role. 

Newcastle City are in red-hot form thrashing Gosford Tigers by 100 points in Saturday’s first semi-final.

The Blues have been the Saints bogey team since Maitland came into the season, but the Saints had an important 19-point win against them at Newcastle No.1 Oval in round 13.

First bounce in Saturday’s preliminary final at Newcastle No.1 is at 11.30am.

Terrigal Avoca plays Nelson Bay in the Black Diamond Cup preliminary final. The Entrance Bateau Bay meets Warners Bay in Division 2. Newcastle plays Nelson Bay in the women’s grand final.

Singleton 13.15-93 def Maitland 11.7-73

SINGLETON: Goals: A. Mitchell 3, N. Roberts 2, J. Ingram 2, A. Parsons, B. Bray, M. Tull, S. Brasington, P. Chandler, T. Bates. Best: S. Brasington, C. White, A. Scott, J. Pursell, A. MacPherson, B. Bray

MAITLAND: Goals: W. Beard 4, J. Button 3, C. Pedler 2, L. Damico, J. Taranto. Best: B. Stewart, R. Eddy, L. Damico, C. Mitchell, C. Pedler, A. Damico