NEWCASTLE City saved their best for last, coming from behind to upset minor-premiers Terrigal Avoca 65-43 in the Black Diamond AFL grand final at No.1 Sportsground on Saturday.
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It was the fourth time in six years, the Blues had taken on the Panthers in the decider.
The Panthers had only dropped one game all season and looked to be on the way to claiming a consecutive premiership.
Brandon Thomas got the visitors off to a flyer with a major in the fourth minute. Corbin Bond added a second as the Panthers jumped to a 15-2 lead at the first turn.
Mark Skuse extended the margin to 25-5, before Jackson Crawford finally opened the Blues account.
Connor Haswell followed to close the gap to 25-18 at the main break.
From there it was all the Blues.
They kicked six goals in the third term, with Cade Triffitt contributing three, to take control and open a 55-32 lead at three-quarter time.
Reed Van Huisstede opened the four with a goal before the Blues shut up shot and closed out the game, winning 9.1 (65) to 5.13 (43).
The win was a repeat of the 2016 grand final result.
Newcastle City made it a double, beating Wyong Lakes 5.10 (40) to 1.1 (7) in the women’s grand final.
Sarah Halvorsen kicked two majors and along with Tayla Braithwaite, Ashlee Haylar and Kate Gilbert led the way.
