NEWRL: Coach baffled by Country omissions; newbies' first win; forward's big ban
Rebels coach Garth Brennan is baffled how two Newcastle players, particularly, were overlooked for the NSW Country side.
Newcastle won the Country Championships for a third consecutive year in March, but only five players feature in an 18-man Country side named to play City at Brookvale on Saturday.
"I was expecting more," Brennan said.
"I don't know who the fullback or the hooker is, but they must be exceptionally good.
"To keep [Cameron] 'Spider' [Anderson] and Liam Wilkinson out of the team, they must be exceptional players."
Newcastle's Country reps include Maitland trio Chad O'Donnell, James Bradley and Matt Soper-Lawler, Central's Lachlan O'Brien and Wests' Jake Goodwin.
"I thought he had a great campaign, Jake," Brennan said.
"The other four speak for themselves; will never let you down.
"I thought Liam Wiscombe (Wests) should have been in the conversation. Luke Higgins (Northern) too. There's a few that were unlucky."
Anderson's omission at least means he can try and help Central, who are second last, notch their first win against Wyong on Sunday.
Aaron Gorrell-coached Country face City at 1.50pm.
Northern Hawks, the newcomers to the women's premiership which kicked off last weekend, started their inaugural campaign with a 10-4 win over Souths on Sunday and Brennan, who is also the Hawks' head of football, described them as the club's "shining light".
The Hawks are mostly made up of former Raymond Terrace players, a club no longer in the competition.
"The commitment, the team ethic from most of them, whenever we have a function all the girls are there, they've got a really good vibe amongst them that [coach] Brooke Roach has developed," Brennan said.
The win came as the Hawks' lost their fourth consecutive men's match. They are dead last ahead of hosting defending premiers Maitland on Saturday.
"We're missing [prop] James Taylor," Brennan said.
"He is a rough chance this weekend.
"We didn't have Henry Penn on Sunday, Floyde Tighe our halfback hasn't been there. It will take time.
"The competition is so close. A couple of wins and we're back up there."
They escaped with a 12-6 win over Wyong to stay in touch with the top five, but The Entrance are now set to be without forward Jack Alipate for the next month.
Alipate copped a combined four-game ban for two charges, dangerous contact and a dangerous throw, in Sunday's Central Coast derby. He won't return until round 10 following a bye.
The Entrance, who are 2-2, have had a mixed start to the year but look to be building.
On Sunday, they host a Cessnock side who will be without winger Joe Woodbury for the next two games after he was suspended for a shoulder charge.
Central hooker Joey Morris was the other player banned out of round five, copping one week for dangerous contact.
LADDER: Wests, Maitland (8), Souths, Kurri, Cessnock (6), Lakes, The Entrance (4), Wyong, Macquarie (2), Central, Northern (0).
Rebels coach Garth Brennan is baffled how two Newcastle players, particularly, were overlooked for the NSW Country side.
Newcastle won the Country Championships for a third consecutive year in March, but only five players feature in an 18-man Country side named to play City at Brookvale on Saturday.
"I was expecting more," Brennan said.
"I don't know who the fullback or the hooker is, but they must be exceptionally good.
"To keep [Cameron] 'Spider' [Anderson] and Liam Wilkinson out of the team, they must be exceptional players."
Newcastle's Country reps include Maitland trio Chad O'Donnell, James Bradley and Matt Soper-Lawler, Central's Lachlan O'Brien and Wests' Jake Goodwin.
"I thought he had a great campaign, Jake," Brennan said.
"The other four speak for themselves; will never let you down.
"I thought Liam Wiscombe (Wests) should have been in the conversation. Luke Higgins (Northern) too. There's a few that were unlucky."
Anderson's omission at least means he can try and help Central, who are second last, notch their first win against Wyong on Sunday.
Aaron Gorrell-coached Country face City at 1.50pm.
Northern Hawks, the newcomers to the women's premiership which kicked off last weekend, started their inaugural campaign with a 10-4 win over Souths on Sunday and Brennan, who is also the Hawks' head of football, described them as the club's "shining light".
The Hawks are mostly made up of former Raymond Terrace players, a club no longer in the competition.
"The commitment, the team ethic from most of them, whenever we have a function all the girls are there, they've got a really good vibe amongst them that [coach] Brooke Roach has developed," Brennan said.
The win came as the Hawks' lost their fourth consecutive men's match. They are dead last ahead of hosting defending premiers Maitland on Saturday.
"We're missing [prop] James Taylor," Brennan said.
"He is a rough chance this weekend.
"We didn't have Henry Penn on Sunday, Floyde Tighe our halfback hasn't been there. It will take time.
"The competition is so close. A couple of wins and we're back up there."
They escaped with a 12-6 win over Wyong to stay in touch with the top five, but The Entrance are now set to be without forward Jack Alipate for the next month.
Alipate copped a combined four-game ban for two charges, dangerous contact and a dangerous throw, in Sunday's Central Coast derby. He won't return until round 10 following a bye.
The Entrance, who are 2-2, have had a mixed start to the year but look to be building.
On Sunday, they host a Cessnock side who will be without winger Joe Woodbury for the next two games after he was suspended for a shoulder charge.
Central hooker Joey Morris was the other player banned out of round five, copping one week for dangerous contact.
LADDER: Wests, Maitland (8), Souths, Kurri, Cessnock (6), Lakes, The Entrance (4), Wyong, Macquarie (2), Central, Northern (0).
Rebels coach Garth Brennan is baffled how two Newcastle players, particularly, were overlooked for the NSW Country side.
Newcastle won the Country Championships for a third consecutive year in March, but only five players feature in an 18-man Country side named to play City at Brookvale on Saturday.
"I was expecting more," Brennan said.
"I don't know who the fullback or the hooker is, but they must be exceptionally good.
"To keep [Cameron] 'Spider' [Anderson] and Liam Wilkinson out of the team, they must be exceptional players."
Newcastle's Country reps include Maitland trio Chad O'Donnell, James Bradley and Matt Soper-Lawler, Central's Lachlan O'Brien and Wests' Jake Goodwin.
"I thought he had a great campaign, Jake," Brennan said.
"The other four speak for themselves; will never let you down.
"I thought Liam Wiscombe (Wests) should have been in the conversation. Luke Higgins (Northern) too. There's a few that were unlucky."
Anderson's omission at least means he can try and help Central, who are second last, notch their first win against Wyong on Sunday.
Aaron Gorrell-coached Country face City at 1.50pm.
Northern Hawks, the newcomers to the women's premiership which kicked off last weekend, started their inaugural campaign with a 10-4 win over Souths on Sunday and Brennan, who is also the Hawks' head of football, described them as the club's "shining light".
The Hawks are mostly made up of former Raymond Terrace players, a club no longer in the competition.
"The commitment, the team ethic from most of them, whenever we have a function all the girls are there, they've got a really good vibe amongst them that [coach] Brooke Roach has developed," Brennan said.
The win came as the Hawks' lost their fourth consecutive men's match. They are dead last ahead of hosting defending premiers Maitland on Saturday.
"We're missing [prop] James Taylor," Brennan said.
"He is a rough chance this weekend.
"We didn't have Henry Penn on Sunday, Floyde Tighe our halfback hasn't been there. It will take time.
"The competition is so close. A couple of wins and we're back up there."
They escaped with a 12-6 win over Wyong to stay in touch with the top five, but The Entrance are now set to be without forward Jack Alipate for the next month.
Alipate copped a combined four-game ban for two charges, dangerous contact and a dangerous throw, in Sunday's Central Coast derby. He won't return until round 10 following a bye.
The Entrance, who are 2-2, have had a mixed start to the year but look to be building.
On Sunday, they host a Cessnock side who will be without winger Joe Woodbury for the next two games after he was suspended for a shoulder charge.
Central hooker Joey Morris was the other player banned out of round five, copping one week for dangerous contact.
LADDER: Wests, Maitland (8), Souths, Kurri, Cessnock (6), Lakes, The Entrance (4), Wyong, Macquarie (2), Central, Northern (0).
Rebels coach Garth Brennan is baffled how two Newcastle players, particularly, were overlooked for the NSW Country side.
Newcastle won the Country Championships for a third consecutive year in March, but only five players feature in an 18-man Country side named to play City at Brookvale on Saturday.
"I was expecting more," Brennan said.
"I don't know who the fullback or the hooker is, but they must be exceptionally good.
"To keep [Cameron] 'Spider' [Anderson] and Liam Wilkinson out of the team, they must be exceptional players."
Newcastle's Country reps include Maitland trio Chad O'Donnell, James Bradley and Matt Soper-Lawler, Central's Lachlan O'Brien and Wests' Jake Goodwin.
"I thought he had a great campaign, Jake," Brennan said.
"The other four speak for themselves; will never let you down.
"I thought Liam Wiscombe (Wests) should have been in the conversation. Luke Higgins (Northern) too. There's a few that were unlucky."
Anderson's omission at least means he can try and help Central, who are second last, notch their first win against Wyong on Sunday.
Aaron Gorrell-coached Country face City at 1.50pm.
Northern Hawks, the newcomers to the women's premiership which kicked off last weekend, started their inaugural campaign with a 10-4 win over Souths on Sunday and Brennan, who is also the Hawks' head of football, described them as the club's "shining light".
The Hawks are mostly made up of former Raymond Terrace players, a club no longer in the competition.
"The commitment, the team ethic from most of them, whenever we have a function all the girls are there, they've got a really good vibe amongst them that [coach] Brooke Roach has developed," Brennan said.
The win came as the Hawks' lost their fourth consecutive men's match. They are dead last ahead of hosting defending premiers Maitland on Saturday.
"We're missing [prop] James Taylor," Brennan said.
"He is a rough chance this weekend.
"We didn't have Henry Penn on Sunday, Floyde Tighe our halfback hasn't been there. It will take time.
"The competition is so close. A couple of wins and we're back up there."
They escaped with a 12-6 win over Wyong to stay in touch with the top five, but The Entrance are now set to be without forward Jack Alipate for the next month.
Alipate copped a combined four-game ban for two charges, dangerous contact and a dangerous throw, in Sunday's Central Coast derby. He won't return until round 10 following a bye.
The Entrance, who are 2-2, have had a mixed start to the year but look to be building.
On Sunday, they host a Cessnock side who will be without winger Joe Woodbury for the next two games after he was suspended for a shoulder charge.
Central hooker Joey Morris was the other player banned out of round five, copping one week for dangerous contact.
LADDER: Wests, Maitland (8), Souths, Kurri, Cessnock (6), Lakes, The Entrance (4), Wyong, Macquarie (2), Central, Northern (0).
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Five things you need to know about sport for the long weekend
Maitland coach Adams Hughes knew Braedyn Crowley would hit form, it was a matter of providing service to the prolific striker. Crowley has netted five goals in the past three games - all wins - to help the Magpies turn around their NPL Northern NSW campaign. Hughes is hoping Crowley - and Maitland - can carry that form into the Australian Cup clash with NPL leaders Broadmeadow Magic at Cooks Square Park on Saturday. "Braedyn is a fantastic goalscorer and we know if we get him service in the right areas, he is clinical in those spaces," Hughes said. "It has been a whole-squad approach. The movements, the actions and the patterns we are trying to play. He has a knack for being there at the right moment. There are others who are also close to going on a scoring run." Magic last qualified out of NNSW for the Australia Cup main draw in 2023. "They have some individuals who are top quality at this level," Hughes said. "We need to be on top of our game, be energetic and nullify their strengths if we can. We will have a go at them as well. It will be a good marker on where we are at." Edgeworth are through to the final round of the NNSW qualifying after Bangalow forfeited the clash set down for Jack McLaughlan Oval. In other Australia Cup games on Saturday, Weston are at home to Lambton and Cooks Hill travel to Coffs Harbour to take on the Northern Stars. In the NPLM, Adamstown host Charlestown Azzurri in a catch-up game at 4pm. In the NPLW, Broadmeadow tackle Charlestown on Saturday (4pm) at Magic Park. The Newcastle open women's netball representative side are set for an enormous three days in Camden, where they will play 24 30-minute games over three days in pursuit of the NSW title. Perennially a top-two performer, Newcastle are coached by former national league midcourter Narelle Eather and last claimed the title in 2023. They were runners-up last year. "It's really intense because there's no finals, it's first past the post," Eather said. "So, you have to try to win every single game. There's no time for dropping a game. If you do, you then have to hope for the rest of the weekend that one of the other top teams drop a game. "It's a different game playing three days in a row on the concrete. It comes down to survival of the mentally fittest, not just the physical." This year's squad is a mix of youth and experience. Norths goal attack Abbie Gray, a mainstay of the side, will captain Newcastle. Souths pair Aneeka Marcozzi, in the midcourt, and Erin Asquith at goal shooter are experienced campaigners and West Leagues Balance opens centre Laicy Costigan is among the rising talents. Charlestown and Maitland are also in the women's championship division. Cessnock and Charlestown are vying for the men's state title. Several games have been washed out this season, but Newcastle Rugby League's first-grade competition hasn't been as impacted by the weather compared to the region's other premier sports in 2025. The NEWRL continues over the long weekend and kicks off with a bumper clash at Belmont's Cahill Oval on Saturday, when in-form Lakes United (fourth) host Maitland (third) from 3pm. Former NRL player Brock Lamb is set to return from Maitland, and comes up against two of his former Knights teammates in Lakes forwards Sione and Peter Mata'utia. At the same time on Saturday, Kurri Kurri (sixth) are at home to Central (10th) and Macquarie (ninth) are away to Wyong (seventh). On Sunday at 3pm, competition leaders Western Suburbs are away to eighth-placed The Entrance, while South Newcastle (fifth) host Cessnock (second). Wanderers coach Luke Sherwood expects Samoan international Andrew Tuala to improve the Two Blues' scrum in the second half of the Hunter rugby season. Tuala played 50 minutes off the bench in the Two Blues' 22-12 win over University in a catch-up game on Thursday night. The win was Wanderers' second for the season. Tuala came on at loose head and then switched to hooker in the second half. "Defensively, we were really good," Sherwood said. "Uni were camped on our line late in the first half, but we held strong. Our scrum was going backwards, but we defended really well. "We started strong in the second half and got some points on the board. They scored a couple of late tries from kicks but I was happy with the defence. "AT [Tuala] played just over half a game. We changed the front row at half-time and it worked OK. "AT went hard for 30 minutes and then got gassed. He will be a week-to-week scenario. He is working in the mines so he can't fully commit to training and games." In the other catch-up game, Merewether had to work hard to topple Southern Beaches 25-7 at Ernie Calland Field. Newcastle men's division one coach Dave Willott has his sights on a finals appearance at the Hockey NSW Open Field State Championships. The division one men's and women's competition will be played out at Wyong Hockey Centre, starting Saturday and culminating in finals on Monday. Divisions two and three are being contested over the long weekend at Broadmeadow's Newcastle International Hockey Centre. Newcastle's men's side will be led by experienced campaigner and captain Nick Hill. "We've got a good mix of experience and some younger ones," Willott said. "Ryan Woolnough was recently announced in the Australian under-21 squad, and there will be some debutants. "Our goal is to make the final. But making the semis will be the first part of it then we'll go from there." Maitland coach Adams Hughes knew Braedyn Crowley would hit form, it was a matter of providing service to the prolific striker. Crowley has netted five goals in the past three games - all wins - to help the Magpies turn around their NPL Northern NSW campaign. Hughes is hoping Crowley - and Maitland - can carry that form into the Australian Cup clash with NPL leaders Broadmeadow Magic at Cooks Square Park on Saturday. "Braedyn is a fantastic goalscorer and we know if we get him service in the right areas, he is clinical in those spaces," Hughes said. "It has been a whole-squad approach. The movements, the actions and the patterns we are trying to play. He has a knack for being there at the right moment. There are others who are also close to going on a scoring run." Magic last qualified out of NNSW for the Australia Cup main draw in 2023. "They have some individuals who are top quality at this level," Hughes said. "We need to be on top of our game, be energetic and nullify their strengths if we can. We will have a go at them as well. It will be a good marker on where we are at." Edgeworth are through to the final round of the NNSW qualifying after Bangalow forfeited the clash set down for Jack McLaughlan Oval. In other Australia Cup games on Saturday, Weston are at home to Lambton and Cooks Hill travel to Coffs Harbour to take on the Northern Stars. In the NPLM, Adamstown host Charlestown Azzurri in a catch-up game at 4pm. In the NPLW, Broadmeadow tackle Charlestown on Saturday (4pm) at Magic Park. The Newcastle open women's netball representative side are set for an enormous three days in Camden, where they will play 24 30-minute games over three days in pursuit of the NSW title. Perennially a top-two performer, Newcastle are coached by former national league midcourter Narelle Eather and last claimed the title in 2023. They were runners-up last year. "It's really intense because there's no finals, it's first past the post," Eather said. "So, you have to try to win every single game. There's no time for dropping a game. If you do, you then have to hope for the rest of the weekend that one of the other top teams drop a game. "It's a different game playing three days in a row on the concrete. It comes down to survival of the mentally fittest, not just the physical." This year's squad is a mix of youth and experience. Norths goal attack Abbie Gray, a mainstay of the side, will captain Newcastle. Souths pair Aneeka Marcozzi, in the midcourt, and Erin Asquith at goal shooter are experienced campaigners and West Leagues Balance opens centre Laicy Costigan is among the rising talents. Charlestown and Maitland are also in the women's championship division. Cessnock and Charlestown are vying for the men's state title. Several games have been washed out this season, but Newcastle Rugby League's first-grade competition hasn't been as impacted by the weather compared to the region's other premier sports in 2025. The NEWRL continues over the long weekend and kicks off with a bumper clash at Belmont's Cahill Oval on Saturday, when in-form Lakes United (fourth) host Maitland (third) from 3pm. Former NRL player Brock Lamb is set to return from Maitland, and comes up against two of his former Knights teammates in Lakes forwards Sione and Peter Mata'utia. At the same time on Saturday, Kurri Kurri (sixth) are at home to Central (10th) and Macquarie (ninth) are away to Wyong (seventh). On Sunday at 3pm, competition leaders Western Suburbs are away to eighth-placed The Entrance, while South Newcastle (fifth) host Cessnock (second). Wanderers coach Luke Sherwood expects Samoan international Andrew Tuala to improve the Two Blues' scrum in the second half of the Hunter rugby season. Tuala played 50 minutes off the bench in the Two Blues' 22-12 win over University in a catch-up game on Thursday night. The win was Wanderers' second for the season. Tuala came on at loose head and then switched to hooker in the second half. "Defensively, we were really good," Sherwood said. "Uni were camped on our line late in the first half, but we held strong. Our scrum was going backwards, but we defended really well. "We started strong in the second half and got some points on the board. They scored a couple of late tries from kicks but I was happy with the defence. "AT [Tuala] played just over half a game. We changed the front row at half-time and it worked OK. "AT went hard for 30 minutes and then got gassed. He will be a week-to-week scenario. He is working in the mines so he can't fully commit to training and games." In the other catch-up game, Merewether had to work hard to topple Southern Beaches 25-7 at Ernie Calland Field. Newcastle men's division one coach Dave Willott has his sights on a finals appearance at the Hockey NSW Open Field State Championships. The division one men's and women's competition will be played out at Wyong Hockey Centre, starting Saturday and culminating in finals on Monday. Divisions two and three are being contested over the long weekend at Broadmeadow's Newcastle International Hockey Centre. Newcastle's men's side will be led by experienced campaigner and captain Nick Hill. "We've got a good mix of experience and some younger ones," Willott said. "Ryan Woolnough was recently announced in the Australian under-21 squad, and there will be some debutants. "Our goal is to make the final. But making the semis will be the first part of it then we'll go from there." Maitland coach Adams Hughes knew Braedyn Crowley would hit form, it was a matter of providing service to the prolific striker. Crowley has netted five goals in the past three games - all wins - to help the Magpies turn around their NPL Northern NSW campaign. Hughes is hoping Crowley - and Maitland - can carry that form into the Australian Cup clash with NPL leaders Broadmeadow Magic at Cooks Square Park on Saturday. "Braedyn is a fantastic goalscorer and we know if we get him service in the right areas, he is clinical in those spaces," Hughes said. "It has been a whole-squad approach. The movements, the actions and the patterns we are trying to play. He has a knack for being there at the right moment. There are others who are also close to going on a scoring run." Magic last qualified out of NNSW for the Australia Cup main draw in 2023. "They have some individuals who are top quality at this level," Hughes said. "We need to be on top of our game, be energetic and nullify their strengths if we can. We will have a go at them as well. It will be a good marker on where we are at." Edgeworth are through to the final round of the NNSW qualifying after Bangalow forfeited the clash set down for Jack McLaughlan Oval. In other Australia Cup games on Saturday, Weston are at home to Lambton and Cooks Hill travel to Coffs Harbour to take on the Northern Stars. In the NPLM, Adamstown host Charlestown Azzurri in a catch-up game at 4pm. In the NPLW, Broadmeadow tackle Charlestown on Saturday (4pm) at Magic Park. The Newcastle open women's netball representative side are set for an enormous three days in Camden, where they will play 24 30-minute games over three days in pursuit of the NSW title. Perennially a top-two performer, Newcastle are coached by former national league midcourter Narelle Eather and last claimed the title in 2023. They were runners-up last year. "It's really intense because there's no finals, it's first past the post," Eather said. "So, you have to try to win every single game. There's no time for dropping a game. If you do, you then have to hope for the rest of the weekend that one of the other top teams drop a game. "It's a different game playing three days in a row on the concrete. It comes down to survival of the mentally fittest, not just the physical." This year's squad is a mix of youth and experience. Norths goal attack Abbie Gray, a mainstay of the side, will captain Newcastle. Souths pair Aneeka Marcozzi, in the midcourt, and Erin Asquith at goal shooter are experienced campaigners and West Leagues Balance opens centre Laicy Costigan is among the rising talents. Charlestown and Maitland are also in the women's championship division. Cessnock and Charlestown are vying for the men's state title. Several games have been washed out this season, but Newcastle Rugby League's first-grade competition hasn't been as impacted by the weather compared to the region's other premier sports in 2025. The NEWRL continues over the long weekend and kicks off with a bumper clash at Belmont's Cahill Oval on Saturday, when in-form Lakes United (fourth) host Maitland (third) from 3pm. Former NRL player Brock Lamb is set to return from Maitland, and comes up against two of his former Knights teammates in Lakes forwards Sione and Peter Mata'utia. At the same time on Saturday, Kurri Kurri (sixth) are at home to Central (10th) and Macquarie (ninth) are away to Wyong (seventh). On Sunday at 3pm, competition leaders Western Suburbs are away to eighth-placed The Entrance, while South Newcastle (fifth) host Cessnock (second). Wanderers coach Luke Sherwood expects Samoan international Andrew Tuala to improve the Two Blues' scrum in the second half of the Hunter rugby season. Tuala played 50 minutes off the bench in the Two Blues' 22-12 win over University in a catch-up game on Thursday night. The win was Wanderers' second for the season. Tuala came on at loose head and then switched to hooker in the second half. "Defensively, we were really good," Sherwood said. "Uni were camped on our line late in the first half, but we held strong. Our scrum was going backwards, but we defended really well. "We started strong in the second half and got some points on the board. They scored a couple of late tries from kicks but I was happy with the defence. "AT [Tuala] played just over half a game. We changed the front row at half-time and it worked OK. "AT went hard for 30 minutes and then got gassed. He will be a week-to-week scenario. He is working in the mines so he can't fully commit to training and games." In the other catch-up game, Merewether had to work hard to topple Southern Beaches 25-7 at Ernie Calland Field. Newcastle men's division one coach Dave Willott has his sights on a finals appearance at the Hockey NSW Open Field State Championships. The division one men's and women's competition will be played out at Wyong Hockey Centre, starting Saturday and culminating in finals on Monday. Divisions two and three are being contested over the long weekend at Broadmeadow's Newcastle International Hockey Centre. Newcastle's men's side will be led by experienced campaigner and captain Nick Hill. "We've got a good mix of experience and some younger ones," Willott said. "Ryan Woolnough was recently announced in the Australian under-21 squad, and there will be some debutants. "Our goal is to make the final. But making the semis will be the first part of it then we'll go from there." Maitland coach Adams Hughes knew Braedyn Crowley would hit form, it was a matter of providing service to the prolific striker. Crowley has netted five goals in the past three games - all wins - to help the Magpies turn around their NPL Northern NSW campaign. Hughes is hoping Crowley - and Maitland - can carry that form into the Australian Cup clash with NPL leaders Broadmeadow Magic at Cooks Square Park on Saturday. "Braedyn is a fantastic goalscorer and we know if we get him service in the right areas, he is clinical in those spaces," Hughes said. "It has been a whole-squad approach. The movements, the actions and the patterns we are trying to play. He has a knack for being there at the right moment. There are others who are also close to going on a scoring run." Magic last qualified out of NNSW for the Australia Cup main draw in 2023. "They have some individuals who are top quality at this level," Hughes said. "We need to be on top of our game, be energetic and nullify their strengths if we can. We will have a go at them as well. It will be a good marker on where we are at." Edgeworth are through to the final round of the NNSW qualifying after Bangalow forfeited the clash set down for Jack McLaughlan Oval. In other Australia Cup games on Saturday, Weston are at home to Lambton and Cooks Hill travel to Coffs Harbour to take on the Northern Stars. In the NPLM, Adamstown host Charlestown Azzurri in a catch-up game at 4pm. In the NPLW, Broadmeadow tackle Charlestown on Saturday (4pm) at Magic Park. The Newcastle open women's netball representative side are set for an enormous three days in Camden, where they will play 24 30-minute games over three days in pursuit of the NSW title. Perennially a top-two performer, Newcastle are coached by former national league midcourter Narelle Eather and last claimed the title in 2023. They were runners-up last year. "It's really intense because there's no finals, it's first past the post," Eather said. "So, you have to try to win every single game. There's no time for dropping a game. If you do, you then have to hope for the rest of the weekend that one of the other top teams drop a game. "It's a different game playing three days in a row on the concrete. It comes down to survival of the mentally fittest, not just the physical." This year's squad is a mix of youth and experience. Norths goal attack Abbie Gray, a mainstay of the side, will captain Newcastle. Souths pair Aneeka Marcozzi, in the midcourt, and Erin Asquith at goal shooter are experienced campaigners and West Leagues Balance opens centre Laicy Costigan is among the rising talents. Charlestown and Maitland are also in the women's championship division. Cessnock and Charlestown are vying for the men's state title. Several games have been washed out this season, but Newcastle Rugby League's first-grade competition hasn't been as impacted by the weather compared to the region's other premier sports in 2025. The NEWRL continues over the long weekend and kicks off with a bumper clash at Belmont's Cahill Oval on Saturday, when in-form Lakes United (fourth) host Maitland (third) from 3pm. Former NRL player Brock Lamb is set to return from Maitland, and comes up against two of his former Knights teammates in Lakes forwards Sione and Peter Mata'utia. At the same time on Saturday, Kurri Kurri (sixth) are at home to Central (10th) and Macquarie (ninth) are away to Wyong (seventh). On Sunday at 3pm, competition leaders Western Suburbs are away to eighth-placed The Entrance, while South Newcastle (fifth) host Cessnock (second). Wanderers coach Luke Sherwood expects Samoan international Andrew Tuala to improve the Two Blues' scrum in the second half of the Hunter rugby season. Tuala played 50 minutes off the bench in the Two Blues' 22-12 win over University in a catch-up game on Thursday night. The win was Wanderers' second for the season. Tuala came on at loose head and then switched to hooker in the second half. "Defensively, we were really good," Sherwood said. "Uni were camped on our line late in the first half, but we held strong. Our scrum was going backwards, but we defended really well. "We started strong in the second half and got some points on the board. They scored a couple of late tries from kicks but I was happy with the defence. "AT [Tuala] played just over half a game. We changed the front row at half-time and it worked OK. "AT went hard for 30 minutes and then got gassed. He will be a week-to-week scenario. He is working in the mines so he can't fully commit to training and games." In the other catch-up game, Merewether had to work hard to topple Southern Beaches 25-7 at Ernie Calland Field. Newcastle men's division one coach Dave Willott has his sights on a finals appearance at the Hockey NSW Open Field State Championships. The division one men's and women's competition will be played out at Wyong Hockey Centre, starting Saturday and culminating in finals on Monday. Divisions two and three are being contested over the long weekend at Broadmeadow's Newcastle International Hockey Centre. Newcastle's men's side will be led by experienced campaigner and captain Nick Hill. "We've got a good mix of experience and some younger ones," Willott said. "Ryan Woolnough was recently announced in the Australian under-21 squad, and there will be some debutants. "Our goal is to make the final. But making the semis will be the first part of it then we'll go from there."
News.com.au
5 hours ago
- News.com.au
Newcastle best bets, inside mail for Saturday, June 7, 2025
Racenet and The Daily Telegraph form analyst Adam Sherry provides his best bets and race-by-race analysis for Newcastle on Saturday. The Form: Complete NSW Racing thoroughbred form, including video replays and all you need to know about every horse, jockey and trainer. NEWCASTLE BEST BET Race 5 No. 2: QUEEN'S RHAPSODY Resumed with a smart win and hard to beat again. NEXT BEST Nice win on a heavy track two starts back. Back to provincial grade after a sixth in town. VALUE BET Race 8 No. 1: RUSH ATTACK Freshened after failing at Hawkesbury and has trialled well since. BEST EXOTIC Quinella Race 5: 2, 5 QUADDIE Race 5: 2, 5 Race 6: 1, 2, 7, 10 Race 7: 2, 3, 10 Race 8: 1, 2, 5, 8 JOCKEY TO FOLLOW Talented apprentice MOLLIE FITZGERALD has some nice rides and looks a good chance in the TAB Jockey Challenge. INSIDE MAIL – NEWCASTLE EXTRIO (9) is a two-year-old against the older horses. Sat three-wide to win her Warwick Farm trial from Confidentiality and Central Coast. Tracked speed before getting clear and closed stylish to win her May 29 Rosehill trial by over a length on a Heavy 9. COSMIC EAGLE (8) is another two-year-old filly on debut. Raced outside the leader before dashing away to win her Rosehill trial on the same day in slightly quicker time. MEDITERRA (10) also starts her career off a trial win, her one at Kembla on May 12. BOHEMIAN ART (1) was well backed on debut and raced outside the leader when a neck second behind Impressionism who kicked back to beat here on Apr 26. She bled from one nostril when fifth to Monte Veebee at Kembla second-up. Worth another chance. ZO FRILLING (9) followed three placings with a fourth to Faceoff last start. Will appreciate the extra trip. OAKFIELD EARTH (7) also debuted in that race won by Impressionism where she finished a three length sixth. Went to the tricky Quirindi track and finished a half-length fourth. Bet: Bohemian Art to win ARISTOCRAT (11) made steady ground from near last when fourth to Regulated Affair on debut then battled away on the heavy ground when sixth to Agarwood at Randwick. Winkers and tongue tie on and dropping back to provincial grade can help him break through. LORD VETTORI (3) has placed in four of his six start including second placing at his last two. Boxed on gamely behind Faceoff on a Heavy 9 at Goulburn last start. MATETE (4) has been just behind the placegetters in his four runs and won't be far away again. DIVO (2), the grandson of Makybe Diva, has won both trials this preparation. The margin wasn't great in his latest Wyong heat but it was on a Heavy 9. JUST RESPONSE (4) sat three-wide and cruised home to win on the Beaumont on May 7. Led all-the-way to beat Smashing Nova on a heavy track on the Beaumont last Monday. MAGIC FLAMES (7), the half-sister to city winner Magic Pharoah, has shown nice ability with placings in her two Randwick trials. QUEEN'S RHAPSODY (2) kicked off her second preparation with a stylish win from Missie Lee over 1100m at Hawkesbury and will appreciate stepping up to 1200m here and even further in time. Gets in well with a 3kg claim. TRUE AMOR (5) was scratched a couple of time before resuming with a length fourth to Secure at Warwick Farm on May 7. Will take benefit from the run and appreciate the drop back t provincial grade. NINGALOO REEF (1) returned with a big win at Hawkesbury. LOUNERSE (1) will appreciate a drop back in grade on her second last of 11 in the Midway at Randwick on May 24. Prior to that was a narrow winner over this track and distance. AUTUMN DREAM (2) debuted with an upset win over Hurry Miss in a Warwick Farm Super Maiden over 1300m before finishing just behind the placegetters in her next two over 1600m. CALYX ROSE (7) took improvement from her first two runs when she stepped up to 1375m to win at Cowra and followed with an all-the-way win over 1500m here on Feb 1. MISSILE SEEKER (2) missed the start by a couple of lengths before coming through the middle of the field to score by a length from Willie Oppa at Wyong on a Heavy 9. Boxed on for sixth to Piggyback at Warwick Farm last start. AIX EN PROVENCE (3) resumed with a close third to Miss Kim Kar at Canterbury first-up last campaign. Was a close second in a Midway three starts later. Trialling well. CARNEGIE HILL (10) has claims on his last start Hawkesbury win. RUSH ATTACK (1) was freshened after racing keenly and finishing down the track behind Enter The Dragon at Hawkesbury on Apr 9. Just pipped by Pocketing in a Randwick Midway and beaten a length onto seventh behind Inferencia in a Rosehill Midway. SCHOLL DEEP (8) was a three-quarter length third to Fiftyfivechevy on a Good 4 here then relished the heavy track when a smart winner over Better Explain here on May 3. Gets in well with the 3kg claim. OAKFIELD MAMSELLE (5) has a win and a second from three first-up runs. Is two from two over the mile.
News.com.au
5 hours ago
- News.com.au
NRL icon Paul Gallen a laughing stock after awkward blunder
Cameron Smith and Andrew Johns have shared a good laugh at Paul Gallen's expense after a bizarre moment during Newcastle's Golden Point win over Manly on Thursday night. In one of the craziest finishes of the 2025 season, the Knights went scoreless in the first half and then won the game 26-22, with a Kalyn Ponga try in the first half of Golden Point proving the difference. With the scores locked at 22-22 after 80 minutes, Ponga and Manly captain Daly Cherry-Evans faced off for the coin toss. FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. The Queensland State of Origin skipper guessed correctly and chose to receive the kick-off. It was a bit perplexing for Gallen to follow. Speaking in commentary for Channel 9, the Cronulla legend got lost when trying to work out who was going to kick-off after the Sea Eagles veteran had won the toss and elected to run in the same direction of the field as they did in the second half. Watch the awkward moment in the video player above With Gallen unable to work out if Manly was receiving or not, the former NSW State of Origin captain was schooled by Smith. 'Daly has won the toss and they'll run the same way they are running at the moment,' Gallen said on Channel 9. 'Teams will not change direction. Daly Cherry-Evans won the toss … Manly will receive, is that right? We don't know who's receiving. We know Manly won the toss, but we don't know who's receiving at the moment.' Smith stepped in to help Gallen out. 'Good work Gal,' Smith said with a chuckle. 'Daly chose the direction he ran Gal, so the opposition kick-off.' Johns could be heard laughing into his microphone. A sheepish Gallen responded to his long-time State of Origin rival by saying: 'OK. There you go. 'That's why you're the GOAT. That's why you're the GOAT.' When it was pointed out to Gallen that he conducted several golden point coin tosses during his career as Sharks skipper, Gallen came clean saying former Cronulla trainer Mark Noakes used to handle such matters. 'I forget. That's why I had Mark Noakes next to me,' Gallen said. 'He did everything. I just called heads or tails. That was it.' Nine commentator Mat Thompson also stuck the boot in. 'You were only captain of the Sharks for 10 years,' he said. 'You've taken too many head shots.' Meanwhile, Knights coach Adam O'Brien has been involved in drama despite his team's massive comeback win. The Knights went scoreless in the opening half as they trailed Manly 16-0 at the break and walked off McDonald Jones Stadium to a chorus of boos. O'Brien took a shot at the booing fans in his post match press conference, saying: 'The people that booed don't know anything about rugby league.'
