'Dead flat': Newcastle surfers in tsunami alert area ahead of pro contest
Baker and fellow Novocastrians Ryan Callinan, Morgan Cibilic and Julian Wilson have spent this week waiting for some suitable surf to develop at Huntington Beach in California.
The iconic break is hosting the third event of the Challenger Series, the World Surf League's second-tier series which surfers compete in to try and qualify for the following year's Championship Tour.
The contest has had several lay days due to what Baker described as "pretty much dead flat" conditions, but took an interesting turn on Wednesday (AEST) when news of the earthquake prompted tsunami warnings across the Pacific.
"Day one when I got here, which was a Friday, it was super fun, pretty standard Huntington. Literally since then it's become un-surfable," Baker said, speaking to the Newcastle Herald from America on Thursday (AEST).
"I heard the tsunami warning but was never really super worried about it, knowing that Hawaii was in front of us and that was an area they were worried about.
"[The earthquake] being in Russia and so far away from where we are ... there wasn't really alarms going off here like there was on the North Shore of Oahu [in Hawaii].
"It was pretty chill. The comp wrote in our group chat about it and kind of warned us, a few protocols, but nothing was ever too serious.
"We were down there at 6am looking at the conditions early and everything seemed all good. It was never too much of a worry."
At the end of another lay day when he spoke to the Herald, Baker was hopeful for better surf come Friday (AEST).
The US Open of Surfing begins with a men's round of 80, which Wilson will start in, but Baker, Callinan and Cibilic begin in the round of 64.
The Challenger Series (CS) began with Newcastle Surfest in June, and had its second stop in South Africa last month.
After a round-of-64 exit in Newcastle and only advancing to the round of 32 at the Ballito Pro, Baker is ranked 42nd ahead of the Huntington contest.
Callinan is ninth, Cibilic is 24th and Wilson, who missed the South African event, is 71st.
Given this week's event is the third of seven CS contests, there remains plenty of time for Baker and his countrymen to improve their rankings as they chase a return to surfing's top tier.
Only the top-10 ranked CS surfers qualify for next year's Championship Tour.
"It's definitely not the start to the year that I would have wanted," Baker said. "You'd think having your first event in Newy, I would have much rather got a result like Ryan [second].
"But I'm super happy for Ryan, he is in a great position to get back on tour. For me, I just want to join him, so that fuels the fire to get on the horse and start to get some points.
"This event hasn't really been the best one for me in years past, but I've been putting in the work. Everything feels good; the boards, my body feels 100 per cent, which it hasn't been before, so I'm definitely happy about that ... the only thing I can control in these small conditions is my head space and take it heat-by-heat.
"To make some heats and gain some confidence would be amazing heading into an event that I really love over in Portugal and then into Brazil where I did well last year."
Baker fell off the Championship Tour in mid-2023. Callinan dropped out mid-season this year. Cibilic hasn't been in the top tier since 2022, while Wilson is making a professional comeback after retiring in 2021.
Jackson Baker's thoughts quickly turned to the people of Hawaii when tsunami warnings were issued after the Russian earthquake, warnings which extended to America's west coast where he is waiting to compete in a professional surfing contest.
Baker and fellow Novocastrians Ryan Callinan, Morgan Cibilic and Julian Wilson have spent this week waiting for some suitable surf to develop at Huntington Beach in California.
The iconic break is hosting the third event of the Challenger Series, the World Surf League's second-tier series which surfers compete in to try and qualify for the following year's Championship Tour.
The contest has had several lay days due to what Baker described as "pretty much dead flat" conditions, but took an interesting turn on Wednesday (AEST) when news of the earthquake prompted tsunami warnings across the Pacific.
"Day one when I got here, which was a Friday, it was super fun, pretty standard Huntington. Literally since then it's become un-surfable," Baker said, speaking to the Newcastle Herald from America on Thursday (AEST).
"I heard the tsunami warning but was never really super worried about it, knowing that Hawaii was in front of us and that was an area they were worried about.
"[The earthquake] being in Russia and so far away from where we are ... there wasn't really alarms going off here like there was on the North Shore of Oahu [in Hawaii].
"It was pretty chill. The comp wrote in our group chat about it and kind of warned us, a few protocols, but nothing was ever too serious.
"We were down there at 6am looking at the conditions early and everything seemed all good. It was never too much of a worry."
At the end of another lay day when he spoke to the Herald, Baker was hopeful for better surf come Friday (AEST).
The US Open of Surfing begins with a men's round of 80, which Wilson will start in, but Baker, Callinan and Cibilic begin in the round of 64.
The Challenger Series (CS) began with Newcastle Surfest in June, and had its second stop in South Africa last month.
After a round-of-64 exit in Newcastle and only advancing to the round of 32 at the Ballito Pro, Baker is ranked 42nd ahead of the Huntington contest.
Callinan is ninth, Cibilic is 24th and Wilson, who missed the South African event, is 71st.
Given this week's event is the third of seven CS contests, there remains plenty of time for Baker and his countrymen to improve their rankings as they chase a return to surfing's top tier.
Only the top-10 ranked CS surfers qualify for next year's Championship Tour.
"It's definitely not the start to the year that I would have wanted," Baker said. "You'd think having your first event in Newy, I would have much rather got a result like Ryan [second].
"But I'm super happy for Ryan, he is in a great position to get back on tour. For me, I just want to join him, so that fuels the fire to get on the horse and start to get some points.
"This event hasn't really been the best one for me in years past, but I've been putting in the work. Everything feels good; the boards, my body feels 100 per cent, which it hasn't been before, so I'm definitely happy about that ... the only thing I can control in these small conditions is my head space and take it heat-by-heat.
"To make some heats and gain some confidence would be amazing heading into an event that I really love over in Portugal and then into Brazil where I did well last year."
Baker fell off the Championship Tour in mid-2023. Callinan dropped out mid-season this year. Cibilic hasn't been in the top tier since 2022, while Wilson is making a professional comeback after retiring in 2021.
Jackson Baker's thoughts quickly turned to the people of Hawaii when tsunami warnings were issued after the Russian earthquake, warnings which extended to America's west coast where he is waiting to compete in a professional surfing contest.
Baker and fellow Novocastrians Ryan Callinan, Morgan Cibilic and Julian Wilson have spent this week waiting for some suitable surf to develop at Huntington Beach in California.
The iconic break is hosting the third event of the Challenger Series, the World Surf League's second-tier series which surfers compete in to try and qualify for the following year's Championship Tour.
The contest has had several lay days due to what Baker described as "pretty much dead flat" conditions, but took an interesting turn on Wednesday (AEST) when news of the earthquake prompted tsunami warnings across the Pacific.
"Day one when I got here, which was a Friday, it was super fun, pretty standard Huntington. Literally since then it's become un-surfable," Baker said, speaking to the Newcastle Herald from America on Thursday (AEST).
"I heard the tsunami warning but was never really super worried about it, knowing that Hawaii was in front of us and that was an area they were worried about.
"[The earthquake] being in Russia and so far away from where we are ... there wasn't really alarms going off here like there was on the North Shore of Oahu [in Hawaii].
"It was pretty chill. The comp wrote in our group chat about it and kind of warned us, a few protocols, but nothing was ever too serious.
"We were down there at 6am looking at the conditions early and everything seemed all good. It was never too much of a worry."
At the end of another lay day when he spoke to the Herald, Baker was hopeful for better surf come Friday (AEST).
The US Open of Surfing begins with a men's round of 80, which Wilson will start in, but Baker, Callinan and Cibilic begin in the round of 64.
The Challenger Series (CS) began with Newcastle Surfest in June, and had its second stop in South Africa last month.
After a round-of-64 exit in Newcastle and only advancing to the round of 32 at the Ballito Pro, Baker is ranked 42nd ahead of the Huntington contest.
Callinan is ninth, Cibilic is 24th and Wilson, who missed the South African event, is 71st.
Given this week's event is the third of seven CS contests, there remains plenty of time for Baker and his countrymen to improve their rankings as they chase a return to surfing's top tier.
Only the top-10 ranked CS surfers qualify for next year's Championship Tour.
"It's definitely not the start to the year that I would have wanted," Baker said. "You'd think having your first event in Newy, I would have much rather got a result like Ryan [second].
"But I'm super happy for Ryan, he is in a great position to get back on tour. For me, I just want to join him, so that fuels the fire to get on the horse and start to get some points.
"This event hasn't really been the best one for me in years past, but I've been putting in the work. Everything feels good; the boards, my body feels 100 per cent, which it hasn't been before, so I'm definitely happy about that ... the only thing I can control in these small conditions is my head space and take it heat-by-heat.
"To make some heats and gain some confidence would be amazing heading into an event that I really love over in Portugal and then into Brazil where I did well last year."
Baker fell off the Championship Tour in mid-2023. Callinan dropped out mid-season this year. Cibilic hasn't been in the top tier since 2022, while Wilson is making a professional comeback after retiring in 2021.
Jackson Baker's thoughts quickly turned to the people of Hawaii when tsunami warnings were issued after the Russian earthquake, warnings which extended to America's west coast where he is waiting to compete in a professional surfing contest.
Baker and fellow Novocastrians Ryan Callinan, Morgan Cibilic and Julian Wilson have spent this week waiting for some suitable surf to develop at Huntington Beach in California.
The iconic break is hosting the third event of the Challenger Series, the World Surf League's second-tier series which surfers compete in to try and qualify for the following year's Championship Tour.
The contest has had several lay days due to what Baker described as "pretty much dead flat" conditions, but took an interesting turn on Wednesday (AEST) when news of the earthquake prompted tsunami warnings across the Pacific.
"Day one when I got here, which was a Friday, it was super fun, pretty standard Huntington. Literally since then it's become un-surfable," Baker said, speaking to the Newcastle Herald from America on Thursday (AEST).
"I heard the tsunami warning but was never really super worried about it, knowing that Hawaii was in front of us and that was an area they were worried about.
"[The earthquake] being in Russia and so far away from where we are ... there wasn't really alarms going off here like there was on the North Shore of Oahu [in Hawaii].
"It was pretty chill. The comp wrote in our group chat about it and kind of warned us, a few protocols, but nothing was ever too serious.
"We were down there at 6am looking at the conditions early and everything seemed all good. It was never too much of a worry."
At the end of another lay day when he spoke to the Herald, Baker was hopeful for better surf come Friday (AEST).
The US Open of Surfing begins with a men's round of 80, which Wilson will start in, but Baker, Callinan and Cibilic begin in the round of 64.
The Challenger Series (CS) began with Newcastle Surfest in June, and had its second stop in South Africa last month.
After a round-of-64 exit in Newcastle and only advancing to the round of 32 at the Ballito Pro, Baker is ranked 42nd ahead of the Huntington contest.
Callinan is ninth, Cibilic is 24th and Wilson, who missed the South African event, is 71st.
Given this week's event is the third of seven CS contests, there remains plenty of time for Baker and his countrymen to improve their rankings as they chase a return to surfing's top tier.
Only the top-10 ranked CS surfers qualify for next year's Championship Tour.
"It's definitely not the start to the year that I would have wanted," Baker said. "You'd think having your first event in Newy, I would have much rather got a result like Ryan [second].
"But I'm super happy for Ryan, he is in a great position to get back on tour. For me, I just want to join him, so that fuels the fire to get on the horse and start to get some points.
"This event hasn't really been the best one for me in years past, but I've been putting in the work. Everything feels good; the boards, my body feels 100 per cent, which it hasn't been before, so I'm definitely happy about that ... the only thing I can control in these small conditions is my head space and take it heat-by-heat.
"To make some heats and gain some confidence would be amazing heading into an event that I really love over in Portugal and then into Brazil where I did well last year."
Baker fell off the Championship Tour in mid-2023. Callinan dropped out mid-season this year. Cibilic hasn't been in the top tier since 2022, while Wilson is making a professional comeback after retiring in 2021.
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Magic Round is another milestone moment in the evolution of the women's game, and both are thrilled it's in their home town. "It's awesome that Newcastle gets to host the first-ever Magic Round," Higgins said. "I know it's supposed to rain but I think the Newy crowd will still get behind the teams. There will be some quality footy played, so I'm really excited to be part of that this weekend. "We have definitely spoken about Magic Round and being able to showcase some rugby league for our community, but I know there are plenty of other girls in other teams who are looking forward to coming to Newy because they know how much the crowd get behind the girls' game." The enormity of having the inaugural NRLW Magic Round in the city is not lost on Newcastle Rugby League general manager Adam Devcich. Giving young girls and women access to such events can help continue to grow the game at grassroots level. This year, Hunter Junior Rugby League (HJRL) female participation has risen by 39.79 per cent to 1588 girls playing in competitions from under fives through to under 18s. Last year, the Central Charlestown under-six Sparkles made history as the first all-girls mini team in HJRL. "The old adage is, you can't be what you can't see, and if we have an NRLW Magic Round front and centre in Newcastle, all of the girls and young women can see that this is something that they can aspire to," Devcich said. Higgins also acknowledged the impact accessibility to the game's stars can have on the growing number of girls and women taking up the sport. "There's such a haven here in Newcastle with young girls playing, but even in places like Mid North Coast," Higgins said. "I hope that those girls come and have a look at some of the talent because it's so exciting to have every club come together, and I know that the NRLW girls will stick around after and talk to the fans. "It's huge for the area, but it's huge for the game as well, and I think it will just keep building every year and hopefully Newy get to host it from hereon out." In conjunction with Magic Round, 60 aspiring NRLW players have been invited to Newcastle to be put through their paces across two days in a combine-style assessment. They will include former Matildas star Larissa Crummer, who has produced some eye-catching performances this year for Sunshine Coast in Queensland Women's Premiership. Well, for one, it's outstanding entertainment. The women's game has won fans over with its raw, no-nonsense and highly skilful style. Two, it's cheap as chips, well as cheap as chips used to be. Six games, two days and all for just $24. Or just $5 more if you're not a ticketed club member. And kids come free with a paying adult. No other professional sport can be watched live for that sort of money. Three, you can help support a good cause while you're there. Newcastle-based Breast Cancer Trials is the official match day charity partner for day one of the Magic Round. A number of generous corporate partners will match community donations throughout the weekend. Steeden have also produced a limited number of branded rugby league balls that have been signed by NRLW players and can be bid on as part of fundraising efforts. Four, Bluey will be in town. That's right, everyone's favourite blue heeler, and her sister Bingo, will be putting on live shows among a range of activities for the kids in an interactive precinct. Five, remember the old days when you could run onto the field after sporting events? Well, on Sunday afternoon, following the final match of Magic Round, that's exactly what all ticket-holders can do. Need we say more. The world's best rugby league players will be on show and there are sure to be plenty of stand-out performances. Here are some to keep an eye on: Isabelle Kelly (Roosters) Position: Centre Age: 28 NRLW games: 47 The Roosters captain has played NRLW since it began and is one of the most experienced competitors in the game. The NSW and Australian centre, who is leading the Dally M leaderboard after four rounds, has an incredible career strike rate of 20 tries in 47 appearances. This year, Kelly is averaging a whopping 227 run metres, has made nine line breaks, had 24 tackle breaks, scored three tries and assisted two. Jesse Southwell (Knights) Position: Halfback Age: 20 NRLW games: 31 At just 20 years of age, if the Kotara Bears junior isn't already arguably the best halfback in the game, she will be soon. Southwell guided the Knights to back-to-back premierships in 2022 and 2023, and steered NSW to State of Origin series glory this year. Newcastle coach Ben Jeffries reckoned it was the best he had seen his young No.7 play, and Southwell has taken that form into NRLW. After four rounds, she had produced four try assists, three line break assists and is on a league-record run of 20 successful conversions. Tamika Upton (Broncos) Position: Fullback Age: 28 NRLW games: 41 An absolute superstar of the game, Upton was key to Newcastle's two premiership wins, being named player of the grand final in both. She was the 2023 Dally M Medallist and is one of the most lethal players going around. Upton has scored 31 tries across a 41-game NRLW career. This year, she has bagged five tries in four appearances, had four try assists and made seven line breaks. Returning to play at Newcastle for the first time since leaving the Knights and re-joining the Broncos. Michaela Brake (Warriors) Position: Winger Age: 29 NRLW games: 4 New to rugby league but a rugby sevens legend, the lightning-quick back has an impressive sporting dossier. She is a two-time World Rugby Sevens player of the year, a Commonwealth Games gold medallist and two-time OIympic Games gold medallist. A tryscoring machine in rugby sevens, the Kiwi is also showing lethal qualities in her new code. In four NRLW appearances, Crake has scored two tries, had a league-high 29 tackle breaks, made four line breaks and is averaging 133 run metres per game. Ellie Johnston (Sharks) Position: Prop Age: 24 NRLW games: 39 A power-packed prop who has established herself as one of the most impactful forwards in the game. Helped lead the Sharks to last year's grand final and earned herself a NSW jersey in the process. She has clocked 193.4 post contact metres this year, is averaging 12 hit-ups a game, has made eight tackle breaks and produced six offloads. Can she be stopped? Simaima Taufa (Raiders) Position: Lock Age: 31 NRLW appearances: 42 An absolute workhorse and leader of the game, Taufa is a NSW and Australian representative and was the 2023 Dally M captain of the year. The Canberra captain is built for the grind, not afraid to do the hard stuff and leads by example. She is a tackling machine, tackling at almost 94 per cent efficiency and in the league's top-five players for tackles made this season. NRLW Magic Round is here and Newcastle is host to the historic occasion. Novocastrians love an event, and are unlikely to let a few forecast drops of rain - or even an absolute deluge - get in the way of filling the stands at McDonald Jones Stadium for two jam-packed days of women's rugby league action. Actually, not just any action, but the best in the world with a host of the game's superstars, many locally grown, on show. We've broken down why this weekend is huge not only for the city but also for women's rugby league, which has been going from strength to strength since the inception of the NRLW in 2018. Magic Round features all six NRL games at one venue - McDonald Jones Stadium - across Saturday and Sunday The concept started in England in 2007 as a way to promote the sport. It was adopted by the NRL in 2019 and has been staged annually in Brisbane to huge attendance ever since. It has a party, carnival-type atmosphere which extends beyond the games and venue. This is the first time the women's game has also been showcased on the same platform. All round-five NRLW exchanges will unfold in Newcastle. On Saturday, Gold Coast Titans play newcomers Canterbury (12.15pm), defending premiers and unbeaten leaders the Sydney Roosters battle Wests Tigers (2.15pm) and Brisbane face off with Cronulla (4.15pm). On Sunday, the Knights, who are on a three-game winning run, host the winless Canberra Raiders (1.45pm) in a match bookended by North Queensland's exchange with New Zealand Warriors (11.50am) and Parramatta's showdown with St George Illawarra (3.45pm). Novocastrians are proven die-hard sporting fans. Give us an event, and we'll be there. A then women's rugby league crowd record of 25,782 braved hideous, rain-soaked conditions when State of Origin came to the city last year. That strong turnout, and the regular home support shown to the Knights' NRLW side, helped secure this year's Origin finale and the first Magic Round. As part of a funding agreement with the NSW government, Magic Round will be held in regional NSW for the next three years. Newcastle is first cab off the rank, but if it is well attended, officials are understood to be open to returning next year. "We're hoping to hit the 10,000 mark each day," McDonald Jones Stadium venue manager Dean Mantle said on Friday. "That's our aim. Ticket sales are well and truly on track for that. We're still selling tickets, despite the weather. "People are still ready to come and it's a true testament to the support the people of the Hunter, the people of Newcastle have for the women's game of rugby league ... we've got tickets from as low as $10." The NRLW has exploded from four teams in 2018 to 12 this year, played across an 11-round format with a top-six finals series. Having a dedicated Magic Round to showcase the talent is another important step in the evolution of the women's game. While their male counterparts are full-time athletes, some on multimillion-dollar contracts, most NRLW players juggle their elite sporting commitments with full-time jobs. Home-grown Knights Yasmin Clydsdale and Olivia Higgins - both NSW and Australian representatives - are high school teachers in the local community. Representing your state and country sometimes means taking leave without pay from your other job, and having an understanding boss. The minimum wage for an NRLW player in 2023 was $30,000. This year it is $41,800, increasing to $50,600 by 2027. Both Clydsdale and Higgins were part of the first women's three-match Origin series last year and when NRL took women's footy to Las Vegas this year for the Jillaroos' clash with England. Magic Round is another milestone moment in the evolution of the women's game, and both are thrilled it's in their home town. "It's awesome that Newcastle gets to host the first-ever Magic Round," Higgins said. "I know it's supposed to rain but I think the Newy crowd will still get behind the teams. There will be some quality footy played, so I'm really excited to be part of that this weekend. "We have definitely spoken about Magic Round and being able to showcase some rugby league for our community, but I know there are plenty of other girls in other teams who are looking forward to coming to Newy because they know how much the crowd get behind the girls' game." The enormity of having the inaugural NRLW Magic Round in the city is not lost on Newcastle Rugby League general manager Adam Devcich. Giving young girls and women access to such events can help continue to grow the game at grassroots level. This year, Hunter Junior Rugby League (HJRL) female participation has risen by 39.79 per cent to 1588 girls playing in competitions from under fives through to under 18s. Last year, the Central Charlestown under-six Sparkles made history as the first all-girls mini team in HJRL. "The old adage is, you can't be what you can't see, and if we have an NRLW Magic Round front and centre in Newcastle, all of the girls and young women can see that this is something that they can aspire to," Devcich said. Higgins also acknowledged the impact accessibility to the game's stars can have on the growing number of girls and women taking up the sport. "There's such a haven here in Newcastle with young girls playing, but even in places like Mid North Coast," Higgins said. "I hope that those girls come and have a look at some of the talent because it's so exciting to have every club come together, and I know that the NRLW girls will stick around after and talk to the fans. "It's huge for the area, but it's huge for the game as well, and I think it will just keep building every year and hopefully Newy get to host it from hereon out." In conjunction with Magic Round, 60 aspiring NRLW players have been invited to Newcastle to be put through their paces across two days in a combine-style assessment. They will include former Matildas star Larissa Crummer, who has produced some eye-catching performances this year for Sunshine Coast in Queensland Women's Premiership. Well, for one, it's outstanding entertainment. The women's game has won fans over with its raw, no-nonsense and highly skilful style. Two, it's cheap as chips, well as cheap as chips used to be. Six games, two days and all for just $24. Or just $5 more if you're not a ticketed club member. And kids come free with a paying adult. No other professional sport can be watched live for that sort of money. Three, you can help support a good cause while you're there. Newcastle-based Breast Cancer Trials is the official match day charity partner for day one of the Magic Round. A number of generous corporate partners will match community donations throughout the weekend. Steeden have also produced a limited number of branded rugby league balls that have been signed by NRLW players and can be bid on as part of fundraising efforts. Four, Bluey will be in town. That's right, everyone's favourite blue heeler, and her sister Bingo, will be putting on live shows among a range of activities for the kids in an interactive precinct. Five, remember the old days when you could run onto the field after sporting events? Well, on Sunday afternoon, following the final match of Magic Round, that's exactly what all ticket-holders can do. Need we say more. The world's best rugby league players will be on show and there are sure to be plenty of stand-out performances. Here are some to keep an eye on: Isabelle Kelly (Roosters) Position: Centre Age: 28 NRLW games: 47 The Roosters captain has played NRLW since it began and is one of the most experienced competitors in the game. The NSW and Australian centre, who is leading the Dally M leaderboard after four rounds, has an incredible career strike rate of 20 tries in 47 appearances. This year, Kelly is averaging a whopping 227 run metres, has made nine line breaks, had 24 tackle breaks, scored three tries and assisted two. Jesse Southwell (Knights) Position: Halfback Age: 20 NRLW games: 31 At just 20 years of age, if the Kotara Bears junior isn't already arguably the best halfback in the game, she will be soon. Southwell guided the Knights to back-to-back premierships in 2022 and 2023, and steered NSW to State of Origin series glory this year. Newcastle coach Ben Jeffries reckoned it was the best he had seen his young No.7 play, and Southwell has taken that form into NRLW. After four rounds, she had produced four try assists, three line break assists and is on a league-record run of 20 successful conversions. Tamika Upton (Broncos) Position: Fullback Age: 28 NRLW games: 41 An absolute superstar of the game, Upton was key to Newcastle's two premiership wins, being named player of the grand final in both. She was the 2023 Dally M Medallist and is one of the most lethal players going around. Upton has scored 31 tries across a 41-game NRLW career. This year, she has bagged five tries in four appearances, had four try assists and made seven line breaks. Returning to play at Newcastle for the first time since leaving the Knights and re-joining the Broncos. Michaela Brake (Warriors) Position: Winger Age: 29 NRLW games: 4 New to rugby league but a rugby sevens legend, the lightning-quick back has an impressive sporting dossier. She is a two-time World Rugby Sevens player of the year, a Commonwealth Games gold medallist and two-time OIympic Games gold medallist. A tryscoring machine in rugby sevens, the Kiwi is also showing lethal qualities in her new code. In four NRLW appearances, Crake has scored two tries, had a league-high 29 tackle breaks, made four line breaks and is averaging 133 run metres per game. Ellie Johnston (Sharks) Position: Prop Age: 24 NRLW games: 39 A power-packed prop who has established herself as one of the most impactful forwards in the game. Helped lead the Sharks to last year's grand final and earned herself a NSW jersey in the process. She has clocked 193.4 post contact metres this year, is averaging 12 hit-ups a game, has made eight tackle breaks and produced six offloads. Can she be stopped? Simaima Taufa (Raiders) Position: Lock Age: 31 NRLW appearances: 42 An absolute workhorse and leader of the game, Taufa is a NSW and Australian representative and was the 2023 Dally M captain of the year. The Canberra captain is built for the grind, not afraid to do the hard stuff and leads by example. She is a tackling machine, tackling at almost 94 per cent efficiency and in the league's top-five players for tackles made this season. NRLW Magic Round is here and Newcastle is host to the historic occasion. Novocastrians love an event, and are unlikely to let a few forecast drops of rain - or even an absolute deluge - get in the way of filling the stands at McDonald Jones Stadium for two jam-packed days of women's rugby league action. Actually, not just any action, but the best in the world with a host of the game's superstars, many locally grown, on show. We've broken down why this weekend is huge not only for the city but also for women's rugby league, which has been going from strength to strength since the inception of the NRLW in 2018. Magic Round features all six NRL games at one venue - McDonald Jones Stadium - across Saturday and Sunday The concept started in England in 2007 as a way to promote the sport. It was adopted by the NRL in 2019 and has been staged annually in Brisbane to huge attendance ever since. It has a party, carnival-type atmosphere which extends beyond the games and venue. This is the first time the women's game has also been showcased on the same platform. All round-five NRLW exchanges will unfold in Newcastle. On Saturday, Gold Coast Titans play newcomers Canterbury (12.15pm), defending premiers and unbeaten leaders the Sydney Roosters battle Wests Tigers (2.15pm) and Brisbane face off with Cronulla (4.15pm). On Sunday, the Knights, who are on a three-game winning run, host the winless Canberra Raiders (1.45pm) in a match bookended by North Queensland's exchange with New Zealand Warriors (11.50am) and Parramatta's showdown with St George Illawarra (3.45pm). Novocastrians are proven die-hard sporting fans. Give us an event, and we'll be there. A then women's rugby league crowd record of 25,782 braved hideous, rain-soaked conditions when State of Origin came to the city last year. That strong turnout, and the regular home support shown to the Knights' NRLW side, helped secure this year's Origin finale and the first Magic Round. As part of a funding agreement with the NSW government, Magic Round will be held in regional NSW for the next three years. Newcastle is first cab off the rank, but if it is well attended, officials are understood to be open to returning next year. "We're hoping to hit the 10,000 mark each day," McDonald Jones Stadium venue manager Dean Mantle said on Friday. "That's our aim. Ticket sales are well and truly on track for that. We're still selling tickets, despite the weather. "People are still ready to come and it's a true testament to the support the people of the Hunter, the people of Newcastle have for the women's game of rugby league ... we've got tickets from as low as $10." The NRLW has exploded from four teams in 2018 to 12 this year, played across an 11-round format with a top-six finals series. Having a dedicated Magic Round to showcase the talent is another important step in the evolution of the women's game. While their male counterparts are full-time athletes, some on multimillion-dollar contracts, most NRLW players juggle their elite sporting commitments with full-time jobs. Home-grown Knights Yasmin Clydsdale and Olivia Higgins - both NSW and Australian representatives - are high school teachers in the local community. Representing your state and country sometimes means taking leave without pay from your other job, and having an understanding boss. The minimum wage for an NRLW player in 2023 was $30,000. This year it is $41,800, increasing to $50,600 by 2027. Both Clydsdale and Higgins were part of the first women's three-match Origin series last year and when NRL took women's footy to Las Vegas this year for the Jillaroos' clash with England. Magic Round is another milestone moment in the evolution of the women's game, and both are thrilled it's in their home town. "It's awesome that Newcastle gets to host the first-ever Magic Round," Higgins said. "I know it's supposed to rain but I think the Newy crowd will still get behind the teams. There will be some quality footy played, so I'm really excited to be part of that this weekend. "We have definitely spoken about Magic Round and being able to showcase some rugby league for our community, but I know there are plenty of other girls in other teams who are looking forward to coming to Newy because they know how much the crowd get behind the girls' game." The enormity of having the inaugural NRLW Magic Round in the city is not lost on Newcastle Rugby League general manager Adam Devcich. Giving young girls and women access to such events can help continue to grow the game at grassroots level. This year, Hunter Junior Rugby League (HJRL) female participation has risen by 39.79 per cent to 1588 girls playing in competitions from under fives through to under 18s. Last year, the Central Charlestown under-six Sparkles made history as the first all-girls mini team in HJRL. "The old adage is, you can't be what you can't see, and if we have an NRLW Magic Round front and centre in Newcastle, all of the girls and young women can see that this is something that they can aspire to," Devcich said. Higgins also acknowledged the impact accessibility to the game's stars can have on the growing number of girls and women taking up the sport. "There's such a haven here in Newcastle with young girls playing, but even in places like Mid North Coast," Higgins said. "I hope that those girls come and have a look at some of the talent because it's so exciting to have every club come together, and I know that the NRLW girls will stick around after and talk to the fans. "It's huge for the area, but it's huge for the game as well, and I think it will just keep building every year and hopefully Newy get to host it from hereon out." In conjunction with Magic Round, 60 aspiring NRLW players have been invited to Newcastle to be put through their paces across two days in a combine-style assessment. They will include former Matildas star Larissa Crummer, who has produced some eye-catching performances this year for Sunshine Coast in Queensland Women's Premiership. Well, for one, it's outstanding entertainment. The women's game has won fans over with its raw, no-nonsense and highly skilful style. Two, it's cheap as chips, well as cheap as chips used to be. Six games, two days and all for just $24. Or just $5 more if you're not a ticketed club member. And kids come free with a paying adult. No other professional sport can be watched live for that sort of money. Three, you can help support a good cause while you're there. Newcastle-based Breast Cancer Trials is the official match day charity partner for day one of the Magic Round. A number of generous corporate partners will match community donations throughout the weekend. Steeden have also produced a limited number of branded rugby league balls that have been signed by NRLW players and can be bid on as part of fundraising efforts. Four, Bluey will be in town. That's right, everyone's favourite blue heeler, and her sister Bingo, will be putting on live shows among a range of activities for the kids in an interactive precinct. Five, remember the old days when you could run onto the field after sporting events? Well, on Sunday afternoon, following the final match of Magic Round, that's exactly what all ticket-holders can do. Need we say more. The world's best rugby league players will be on show and there are sure to be plenty of stand-out performances. Here are some to keep an eye on: Isabelle Kelly (Roosters) Position: Centre Age: 28 NRLW games: 47 The Roosters captain has played NRLW since it began and is one of the most experienced competitors in the game. The NSW and Australian centre, who is leading the Dally M leaderboard after four rounds, has an incredible career strike rate of 20 tries in 47 appearances. This year, Kelly is averaging a whopping 227 run metres, has made nine line breaks, had 24 tackle breaks, scored three tries and assisted two. Jesse Southwell (Knights) Position: Halfback Age: 20 NRLW games: 31 At just 20 years of age, if the Kotara Bears junior isn't already arguably the best halfback in the game, she will be soon. Southwell guided the Knights to back-to-back premierships in 2022 and 2023, and steered NSW to State of Origin series glory this year. Newcastle coach Ben Jeffries reckoned it was the best he had seen his young No.7 play, and Southwell has taken that form into NRLW. After four rounds, she had produced four try assists, three line break assists and is on a league-record run of 20 successful conversions. Tamika Upton (Broncos) Position: Fullback Age: 28 NRLW games: 41 An absolute superstar of the game, Upton was key to Newcastle's two premiership wins, being named player of the grand final in both. She was the 2023 Dally M Medallist and is one of the most lethal players going around. Upton has scored 31 tries across a 41-game NRLW career. This year, she has bagged five tries in four appearances, had four try assists and made seven line breaks. Returning to play at Newcastle for the first time since leaving the Knights and re-joining the Broncos. Michaela Brake (Warriors) Position: Winger Age: 29 NRLW games: 4 New to rugby league but a rugby sevens legend, the lightning-quick back has an impressive sporting dossier. She is a two-time World Rugby Sevens player of the year, a Commonwealth Games gold medallist and two-time OIympic Games gold medallist. A tryscoring machine in rugby sevens, the Kiwi is also showing lethal qualities in her new code. In four NRLW appearances, Crake has scored two tries, had a league-high 29 tackle breaks, made four line breaks and is averaging 133 run metres per game. Ellie Johnston (Sharks) Position: Prop Age: 24 NRLW games: 39 A power-packed prop who has established herself as one of the most impactful forwards in the game. Helped lead the Sharks to last year's grand final and earned herself a NSW jersey in the process. She has clocked 193.4 post contact metres this year, is averaging 12 hit-ups a game, has made eight tackle breaks and produced six offloads. Can she be stopped? Simaima Taufa (Raiders) Position: Lock Age: 31 NRLW appearances: 42 An absolute workhorse and leader of the game, Taufa is a NSW and Australian representative and was the 2023 Dally M captain of the year. The Canberra captain is built for the grind, not afraid to do the hard stuff and leads by example. She is a tackling machine, tackling at almost 94 per cent efficiency and in the league's top-five players for tackles made this season.
