The Maitland Saints are waiting to see who they will play for a spot in the AFL Hunter Central Coast Women's grand final after finishing the season in second.
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The AFLHCC finals series begins this weekend, but the Saints and minor premiers Killarney Vale Bombers have week one off before facing the winners of two opening round qualifying semi-finals.
Maitland coach Chris Pedler had set a goal of finishing in the top two and Maitland secured second spot with a 25-point win against fellow finalists Cardiff in round 17.
A strong defence, multi-pronged midfield and twin targets up forward in Jessie Burnham who has 46 goals and Sarah Burns with 42 has seen Maitland register their highest finish and move above former competition heavyweights Newcastle City and Nelson Bay in the chopping order.
The Saints fell to the Bombers by 40 points in their final round encounter at Max McMahon Oval on Saturday, but Maitland maintained second spot on percentage after finishing equal on 13 wins with Wyong Lakes and Newcastle City.
Killarney Vale stole the march on Maitland in Saturday's encounter kicking four goals five to lead by 29 points in the first term.
The Saints maintained their composure but were unable to bridge the gap eventually going down 2.1-13 to 7.11-53.
Maitland managed to restrict competition leading goal kicker Angela Jones to two goal, after hauls of 16 and 12 in the past two weeks for a season total of 88.
They were best served by Hannah Centra, Ashlee Fennell, Anna Fraser, Leawanna O'Donoghue, Nikki Robson and Amanda Smith.
The Saints men's teams failed to qualify for the finals, but after a testing year Maitland's Black Diamond Cup team finished with a memorable five-point win over Warners Bay on the Saints Old Boys Day..
Maitland's accurate kicking proved the difference with the Saints scoring 9.2-56 to the Bulldogs 6.15-51 and left them seventh on the ladder with five wins.
Teenager Trevon Bob led the way up front with three goals and Hugh Matheson and Walter Pankhurst kicked two each.
Jordan Haddow, Pat McMahon, Sam Jordan, Bayley Ritchie, Colin Carroll and Mitch Greaves were Maitland's best.
The Saints' Black Diamon Plate were beaten by The Entrance Bateau Bay 16.9-105 4.5-29.
Max McMahon Oval hosts three semi-finals on Saturday.
At 9.45am, Warners Bay take on Killarney Vale for a spot in the qualifying final against Black Diamond Plate minor premiers Terrigal Avoca.
The Entrance Bateau Bay play Muswellbrook in the other elimination final. The winner plays Newcastle.
At noon, Wyong Lakes and Cardiff meet in the AFLHCC Women's elimination final for the chance to meet Maitland in the qualifying final.
Newcastle plays Terrigal Avoca in the other elimination final with the winner to play Killarney Vale.
In the Black Diamond Cup from 2.15pm, Cardiff (third) plays Warners Bay (sixth) with the winner to play for Newcastle City in the grand finals.
In the other elimination final Killarney Vale plays Singleton. The winner plays Terrigal Avoca.
