PATRICK Gillingham kicked a career-best 11-goals to lead Newcastle City to an emphatic 100-point win over Nelson Bay and remain in second spot on the Black Diamond AFL ladder.
Gillingham’s haul moved him to 23 for the season, one less than he kicked for the entire 2016 campaign.
Incredibly, the half-forward didn’t open his account until the second term.
Cameron Keast and Jackson Crawford kicked the Blues’ two goals in a tight first term after which the home side led 19-9.
Gillingham sprung into action in the second, with three majors as the Blues took control to open a 58-17 advantage.
He added four goals in the third term and another four in the fourth as the Bllues won 22.16-148 to 7.6-48.
In Singleton, gun midfielders, Sam Brasington, Alex Mitchell and coach Andrew Scott inspired the Roosters to a solid victory over Wyong Lakes 11.9-75 to 5.3-33.
At Adcock Park, Jake Roach made a successful return from a quad injury as Warners Bay scored a hard-fought win over Gosford winning 15.14-104 to 7.11-53. Playing mainly up forward Roach kicked three goals.
Bryce Singleton kicked ten goals to help Killarney Vale to a confidence-restoring victory against Lake Macquarie 28.16-184 to 5.3-33 at Adelaide Street Oval.
In the final match Cardiff continued their unbeaten start to the season with a 22.18.150 to 5.1.31 triumph over Maitland at Hillsborough Oval.
