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Newcastle Rugby League

Newcastle Rugby League
SportRugby league
Instituted1910
Inaugural season1910
Number of teams11
Country Australia
Premiers Maitland (2024 Newcastle Rugby League Season)
Most titles West Newcastle (23 titles)
WebsiteNewcastle RL on facebook
Broadcast partnerBar TV Sports (Australia)
Related competitionPresidents Cup Conferences:
*Peter McDonald Premiership (West)
*Ron Massey Cup (Central)
*Mojo Homes Illawarra Cup (South)

The Newcastle Rugby League is a local rugby league football competition in Newcastle, Australia. It is one of the oldest rugby league competitions in Australia, founded in 1910. A Newcastle representative team was also assembled from players in the League during most of the 20th century. The first grade competition also comprises the NSWRL Presidents Cup Northern Conference.

History

The original franchise from Newcastle competed in the inaugural Sydney Rugby League premiership of 1908 but withdrew after the 1909 season to form the local competition under the banner of the Northern Branch of the NSWRL.

The four original teams were Central Newcastle (Blue & White), North Newcastle (Light & Dark Blue vertical stripes), South Newcastle (Red & White) and West Newcastle (Red & Green).[1] The season kicked off 14 May 1910 with South playing West and Central playing Northern Suburbs. South Newcastle finished the season on top of the ladder; the final was played in front of 2500 spectators at Hamilton League Ground, with Central overcoming South 13–4.

The 1911 season saw the previous minor premiers South slump to the bottom of the ladder. The final was played in front of 4000 spectators and saw North victorious over Central 10–2. 1911 saw the Combined Newcastle & Hunter team Tour Queensland, defeating the Queensland State team in all matches played. Newcastle played against the touring New Zealand team in a tight match almost pulling off an upset before going down 21–20.

The 1912 season saw the addition of East Newcastle, playing in Black and White. They were immediately competitive and made the grand final.

The First World War saw a halt to the competition for 1917 and 1918. Although the Newcastle Morning Herald did continue to publish results for competition games for those two years.[2] The NSW Football League sacked most of the local officials following an early game of the 1917 season in which the Western Suburbs Club played a disqualified player. The competition was thrown into turmoil and the season was abandoned. The 1918 season was also abandoned because the officials were still serving their suspensions and the player shortage had worsened.

1919 saw a split, with two smaller competitions held – the "Lilywhites" or clubs faithful to the NSWRL, composed of Eastern Suburbs and Northern Suburbs, and the "Bolsheviks" or rebels composed of South, Central, North and West.

1920 saw the competition reunited when the Newcastle Rugby League (NRL) was officially formed and expanded to six teams as Kurri Kurri competed for the first time. The Newcastle Sports Ground (No1) was officially opened 16 September 1922 on land donated by the Australian Agricultural Company. The opening was marked between Western Suburbs (Sydney) and a Newcastle representative side, with Newcastle winning 20–16. The first game under lights was played at the Newcastle Coursing and Sporting Club (later the Newcastle Greyhound track) at Hamilton South in 1928.

The 1930s saw the emergence of the Coalfields teams (such as Cessnock Goannas in 1930). Football games were first broadcast on the radio in this decade, but only after considerable debate by Newcastle Rugby League. The record score was established in this decade on 27 July 1939, when Northern Suburbs defeated Morpeth-East Maitland 127–16. North winger Alf Fairhall scored 11 tries and kicked 14 goals, with the game called off 20 minutes early.

The Country Rugby League (CRL) formed in 1934 and became the governing body for the sport of rugby league in areas of New South Wales outside the Sydney metropolitan area, such as Newcastle.

In the mid 1950s,the major football clubs were opening large licensed Social Clubs. Bar and poker machine revenue from these clubs provided a new source of cash to fund and develop the game. Also in this era, the 'six-yard rule' was introduced to keep both the attacking and defending teams from being within three yards of the play the ball.

Prior to 1960, if the minor premiers were defeated in the playoffs, they then had the right to challenge the winner of the final to a grand final match. The Second Division competition started in 1960 with nine teams, growing to 23 for the 1961 season. Macquarie also entered the league in 1960. In 1962, the local Television station (NBN 3) began transmitting to Newcastle audiences.

From 1963 to 1965, the Newcastle representative team won 15 consecutive matches, including wins in three Country Championships and wins against South Africa and France, and the famous victories in the State Cup. This Cup, in which Sydney teams played NSW Country Divisional teams in a knockout competition, was launched in 1964 by the NSWRL. Newcastle defeated South Sydney, North Sydney, the all-conquering St George and Parramatta to win the Cup. This side featured names such as Terry Pannowitz, Allan Buman, and Dave Brown (captain).

In 1968, the Central Newcastle club relocated from the inner-city to Charlestown and became Central-Charlestown, popularly known as 'The Butcher Boys'.

During the 1970s, the ten District clubs engaged in an impressive line-up of high profile Captain/Coaches. Great Britain international Terry Clawson (South Newcastle), immortal and Australian international Johnny Raper (Western Suburbs), Australian international Brian 'Chicka' Moore (Macquarie) and Australian international Alan Thomson (Lakes United), to name a few. In 1971, the 'six tackle rule' was introduced. In 1978, foundation club Northern Suburbs became North Newcastle after it enlarged its district to include Raymond Terrace and Nelson Bay.

In 1988, the league changed majorly with the introduction of the Newcastle Knights into the NSWRL competition, the first representation of the Newcastle and Hunter region since the Newcastle Rebels departed after the 1909 season.

As a result, the 1990s saw the Newcastle Knights attract the lion's share of the spectators in Newcastle and support for local clubs suffered. This downturn was offset to a certain extent when former Knights players began to filter into the local competition. The drift of players boosted the profile of the local league, which was no more evident than when Steve Linnane led Kurri to a trifecta of premierships in 1993, 1994 and 1995.

The 2000s saw the league implement a 'salary cap' and a 'points system' for players signing with a 'new' club. This innovation was designed to control spending and to keep clubs alive and well. A joint venture launched in 2009 by the Knights and the Newcastle Rugby League was labelled 'the Player Placement Program', designed to allow Knights players not required by their club on a weekend, to play in the local competition.

2020 saw the competition cancelled for the first time in over one hundred years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With restrictions easing, a decision was made to implement a two tiered amateur competition. First Grade would feature Lakes United, Western Suburbs, Cessnock, Maitland, Central and Souths. Reserve Grade would see representation from Western Suburbs, Lakes United, Cessnock, Maitland, Central, Souths and Kurri Kurri. Of further note, Maitland also elected to participate in the Presidents Cup, spreading their resources across the two Newcastle competitions as well as the New South Wales based Presidents Cup, which they won. Cessnock defeated South Newcastle in the First Grade Grand Final.[3]

The 2021 season featured the regular clubs, as well as both Wyong and The Entrance, forming a 10 team, 18 round competition. The Entrance will contest the competition for the first time in their history. As well as this, the Major Premiers also now advance to meet title winners from Illawarra, Ron Massey Cup and a wildcard in a conference style President's Cup at the end of the year.[4] Unfortunately, the competition was interrupted by COVID-19 restrictions placed on the Hunter region, with a decision made to cancel the competition prior to any finals being played. Maitland Pickers had secured the Minor Premiership, but there would be no Major Premiers for season 2021. No President's Cup tournament was contested.[5]

Season 2022 saw the Maitland Pickers claim the minor premiership with 31 competition points, with Central Newcastle (29), Macquarie Scorpions (22), Cessnock Goannas (22) and South Newcastle (22) rounding out the top five. On 11 September 2022, Maitland Pickers claimed their 13th premiership with a 40–4 victory over Macquarie Scorpions at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle.[6] On 25 September 2022, Maitland defended their Presidents Cup crown with a 36–12 win over The Hills Bulls.[7] 2022 NSWRL Presidents Cup.

Season 2023 included The Northern Hawks, bumping the number of teams in the league to 11.[8] All teams will compete in the overarching 2023 NSWRL Presidents Cup. 2023 saw the modern-day version of the Newcastle Rebels, a team constructed of the best talent from the Newcastle Rugby League, return to the Men's Country Championships.[9] Maitland Pickers won the Premiership to secure back to back titles, defeating South Newcastle Lions 46-10.[10]

2024 Newcastle Rugby League Season saw Maitland Pickers defeat Central Newcastle in the First Grade Grand Final, 24-4.[11] Central Newcastle appeared in their first Grand Final since 1963, breaking a 49-year drought. The inaugural Women's Premiership was also contested in 2024, with Maitland Pickers Women's team claiming the title.[12]

Clubs

Current

Club Colours City/Suburb Home venue Est. FG Seasons FG Premierships
Total Recent
Central Newcastle Butcher Boys Newcastle (Charlestown) St John Oval 1910 1910–16, 1920–present 7 1949
Cessnock Goannas Cessnock Cessnock Sportsground 1911 1931–present 9 2020
Kurri Kurri Bulldogs Kurri Kurri Kurri Kurri Sports Ground 1911 1919–20, 1927–present 6 1995
Lakes United Seagulls Lake Macquarie (Belmont) Cahill Oval 1945 1947–present 11 2015
Macquarie Scorpions Lake Macquarie (Toronto) Lyall Peacock Field 1960 1960–present 2 2017
Maitland Pickers Maitland Maitland Sportsground 1927 1927–1989, 1991–03, 2005–06, 2009–present 13 2024
Northern Hawks Port Stephens Tomaree Sporting Complex 2021 2023–present 0 —
South Newcastle Lions Newcastle (Merewether) Townson Oval 1910 1910–16, 1919–present 11 2018
The Entrance Tigers The Entrance EDSACC Oval 1934 2021–present 0 —
Western Suburbs Rosellas Newcastle (New Lambton) Harker Oval 1910 1910–16, 1919–present 23 2019
Wyong Roos Wyong Morry Breen Oval 1910 2003–12, 2020–present 1 2009

Former

Club Est. Colours City/Suburb Reason FG Seasons FG Premierships
Total Final
Central-South Newcastle 1919 Newcastle (Charlestown) Demerged; Central & South reformed as separate teams 1919 1 1919
Eastern Suburbs 1912 Newcastle (Newcastle West) Folded due to player shortage during WWII 1912–16, 1919–42 5 1932
Maitland United Pumpkin Pickers 1925 Maitland Folded due to district being given to Morpeth-East Maitland 1925, 1927–42 2 1934
Morpeth 1925 Maitland (South Maitland) Merged with East Maitland to form Morpeth-East Maitland 1925 0 —
North-Nelson Bay Marlins 1988 Port Stephens Demerged; North Newcastle joined second division 1989–00 0 —
Northern Blues 1911 Port Stephens Folded; Succeeded by Port Stephens 2001–11 1 2005
North Newcastle Bluebags 1910 Newcastle (Wickham) Merged with Nelson Bay to form North-Nelson Bay 1910–16, 1919–88 15 1979
Port Stephens Sharks Port Stephens Folded; Succeeded by Nelson Bay 2012–14 0 —
Raymond Terrace Magpies Raymond Terrace Moved to Group 21 Premiership 2001–08 0 —
Waratah-Mayfield Cheetahs 1927 Newcastle (Waratah) Recess; Moved to second division 1927–04 6 2000

Current Competitions

First Grade

Year Premiers Score Runners-up Match Information
Date Venue Referee Video
NSWRL Northern Branch Premiership (1910–16, 1919)
1910 Central Newcastle 13 – 4 South Newcastle 10 September 1910 Hamilton League Ground, Newcastle T. McMahon Snr
1911 Northern Suburbs 10 – 2 Central Newcastle 9 September 1911 Hamilton League Ground, Newcastle L. Kearney
1912 Western Suburbs 10 – 7 East Newcastle 21 September 1912 Newcastle Sportsground, Newcastle H. Poulton
1913 East Newcastle 18 – 0 Western Suburbs 13 September 1913 Newcastle Sportsground, Newcastle T. McMahon Snr
1914 (2) Northern Suburbs 5 – 2 Central Newcastle 29 August 1914 Newcastle Sportsground, Newcastle W. Reid
1915 (2) Western Suburbs 22 – 8 Northern Suburbs 11 September 1915 Newcastle Sportsground, Newcastle T. McMahon Snr
1916 (3) Western Suburbs 10 – 8 Northern Suburbs 19 August 1916 Newcastle Sportsground, Newcastle L. Colgan
1917 No Official Competition Contested
1918
1919 (2) Eastern Suburbs 11 – 9 Northern Suburbs 23 August 1919 Wickham Park, Newcastle L. Colgan
NDRLFA Premiership (1919)
1919 Central-South Newcastle 7 – 2 Western Suburbs 16 August 1919
Newcastle Rugby League Premiership (1920–present)
1920 (3) Northern Suburbs 11 – 0 South Newcastle 14 August 1920 Newcastle Showground, Newcastle J. Mitten
1921 (2) Central Newcastle 5 – 3 Western Suburbs 3 September 1921 Newcastle Showground, Newcastle J. Mitten
1922 (4) Western Suburbs 5 – 0 Central Newcastle 29 July 1922 Newcastle Showground, Newcastle L. Colgan
1923 (3) Eastern Suburbs 17 – 8 Northern Suburbs 22 September 1923 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle L. Colgan
1924 (4) Eastern Suburbs 9 – 2 Northern Suburbs 12 July 1924 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle L. Colgan
1925 (4) Northern Suburbs 10 – 6 Eastern Suburbs 12 September 1925 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle J. Mitten
1926 (5) Northern Suburbs 13 – 8 South Newcastle 3 July 1926 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle L. Colgan
1927 South Newcastle 8 – 3 Northern Suburbs 24 September 1927 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle L. Colgan
1928 (3) Central Newcastle 11 – 8 Northern Suburbs 22 September 1928 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle E. Hill
1929 (6) Northern Suburbs 10 – 5 Waratah-Mayfield 5 October 1929 Waratah Oval, Newcastle J. Mitten
1930 (4) Central Newcastle 17 – 2 South Newcastle 27 September 1930 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle J. Mitten
1931 Kurri Kurri 7 – 7 Northern Suburbs Bluebags 26 September 1931 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle J. Moses
9 – 0 3 October 1931
1932 (5) Eastern Suburbs 20 – 17 Cessnock 17 September 1932 Newcastle Showground, Newcastle E. Hill
1933 Maitland United Pumpkin Pickers 20 – 0 Waratah-Mayfield 30 September 1933 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle
1934 (2) Maitland United Pumpkin Pickers 4 – 2 Waratah-Mayfield 8 September 1934 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle
1935 (7) Northern Suburbs Bluebags 14 – 4 Central Newcastle 5 October 1935 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle J. Mercer
1936 Waratah-Mayfield 12 – 2 Cessnock 19 September 1936 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle R. Lewis
1937 (5) Central Newcastle 22 – 7 Cessnock 11 September 1937 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle
1938 (8) Northern Suburbs Bluebags 20 – 4 Waratah-Mayfield 1 October 1938 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle R. Lewis
1939 (6) Central Newcastle 34 – 5 Western Suburbs Rosellas 2 September 1939 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle A. Shipway
1940 (2) Kurri Kurri Cooks 12 – 5 Cessnock 21 September 1940 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle R. Cody
1941 Cessnock 18 – 3 South Newcastle 6 September 1941 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle R. Cody
1942 (2) Waratah-Mayfield 18 – 11 South Newcastle 3 October 1942 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle
1943 (2) South Newcastle 9 – 0 Waratah-Mayfield 28 August 1943 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle R. Lewis
1944 (3) Waratah-Mayfield 18 – 15 Western Suburbs Rosellas 2 September 1944 New Lambton Oval, Newcastle
1945 (3) Kurri Kurri Cooks 7 – 4 South Newcastle 8 September 1945 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle
1946 (3) South Newcastle 11 – 3 Western Suburbs Rosellas 17 August 1946 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle
1947 Lakes United 13 – 0 Northern Suburbs Bluebags 20 September 1947 New Lambton Oval, Newcastle R. Baker
1948 (9) Northern Suburbs Bluebags 5 – 2 Kurri Kurri Cooks 18 September 1948 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle E. Howley
1949 (7) Central Newcastle 28 – 2 Kurri Kurri Cooks
1950 (2) Cessnock 19 – 12 Central Newcastle 7 October 1950 Maitland Showground, Maitland
1951 (10) Northern Suburbs Bluebags 12 – 8 Maitland District Pumpkin Pickers 8 September 1951 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle H. Gillard
1952 (4) Waratah-Mayfield 5 – 4 Lakes United Seagulls
1953 (11) Northern Suburbs Bluebags 16 – 11 Cessnock 12 September 1953 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle J. Lane
1954 (3) Cessnock 14 – 13 Maitland District Pumpkin Pickers
1955 (4) Cessnock 9 – 7 Maitland Pumpkin Pickers
1956 Maitland Pumpkin Pickers 16 – 9 Cessnock
1957 (2) Maitland Pumpkin Pickers 17 – 12 Kurri Kurri Cooks N. Spohr
1958 (3) Maitland Pumpkin Pickers 22 – 7 Cessnock N. Spohr
1959 (12) Northern Suburbs Bluebags 13 – 12 Maitland Pumpkin Pickers N. Spohr
1960 (5) Cessnock 33 – 5 Maitland Pumpkin Pickers N. Spohr
1961 (5) Western Suburbs Rosellas 10 – 9 Waratah-Mayfield N. Spohr
1962 (13) Northern Suburbs Bluebags 18 – 6 South Newcastle Lions N. Spohr
1963 (4) South Newcastle Lions 12 – 7 Central Newcastle N. Spohr
1964 (5) South Newcastle Lions 27 – 12 Western Suburbs Rosellas N. Spohr
1965 (4) Maitland Pumpkin Pickers 22 – 3 South Newcastle Lions N. Spohr
1966 (6) Western Suburbs Rosellas 31 – 9 Cessnock N. Spohr
1967 (14) Northern Suburbs Bluebags 13 – 11 Western Suburbs Rosellas 26 August 1967 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle N. Spohr
1968 (6) South Newcastle Lions 9 – 6 Lakes United Seagulls N. Spohr
1969 (5) Maitland Pumpkin Pickers 19 – 9 Lakes United Seagulls
1970 (7) Western Suburbs Rosellas 21 – 14 Maitland Pumpkin Pickers T. Gustard
1971 (6) Maitland Pumpkin Pickers 30 – 19 Lakes United Seagulls
1972 (6) Cessnock 18 – 10 Maitland Pumpkin Pickers
1973 (7) Maitland Pumpkin Pickers 27 – 18 Western Suburbs Rosellas
1974 (2) Lakes United Seagulls 7 – 2 Western Suburbs Rosellas 15 September 1974 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle
1975 (3) Lakes United Seagulls 30 – 17 Western Suburbs Rosellas 14 September 1975 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle
1976 (7) South Newcastle Lions 22 – 15 Western Suburbs Rosellas 12 September 1976 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle
1977 (7) Cessnock Goannas 21 – 17 Maitland Pumpkin Pickers 11 September 1977 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle J. Geddes
1978 (8) Western Suburbs Rosellas 23 – 16 South Newcastle Lions 17 September 1978 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle J. Geddes
1979 (15) North Newcastle Bluebags 20 – 8 Cessnock Goannas 16 September 1979 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle T. Gustard
1980 (9) Western Suburbs Rosellas 17 – 3 Cessnock Goannas 14 September 1980 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle G. Alchin
1981 (10) Western Suburbs Rosellas 13 – 2 Cessnock Goannas 20 September 1981 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle T. Gustard
1982 (11) Western Suburbs Rosellas 21 – 14 Kurri Kurri Bulldogs
1983 (8) Maitland Pumpkin Pickers 20 – 12 Cessnock Goannas 11 September 1983 Newcastle International Sports Centre, Newcastle T. Gustard
1984 (12) Western Suburbs Rosellas 10 – 2 Lakes United Seagulls 9 September 1984 Newcastle International Sports Centre, Newcastle T. Gustard
1985 (4) Lakes United Seagulls 12 – 6 Cessnock Goannas 8 September 1985 Newcastle International Sports Centre, Newcastle T. Gustard
1986 (5) Lakes United Seagulls 4 – 0 South Newcastle Lions 14 September 1986 Newcastle International Sports Centre, Newcastle T. Gustard
1987 (6) Lakes United Seagulls 24 – 16 South Newcastle Lions 30 August 1987 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle T. Gustard
1988 (8) South Newcastle Lions 29 – 8 Lakes United Seagulls 21 August 1988 Newcastle International Sports Centre, Newcastle M. Benson
1989 (9) South Newcastle Lions 20 – 2 Western Suburbs Rosellas 3 September 1989 Newcastle International Sports Centre, Newcastle M. Benson
1990 (5) Waratah-Mayfield Cheetahs 17 – 14 Lakes United Seagulls 19 August 1990 Harker Oval, Newcastle M. Benson
1991 Toronto Workers Scorpions 21 – 10 Western Suburbs Rosellas 1 September 1991 Harker Oval, Newcastle P. Lovett V
1992 (13) Western Suburbs Rosellas 33 – 0 Lakes United Seagulls 6 September 1992 Harker Oval, Newcastle P. Lovett
1993 (4) Kurri Workers Bulldogs 20 – 18 Western Suburbs Rosellas 29 August 1993 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle P. Lovett V
1994 (5) Kurri Workers Bulldogs 20 – 16 Toronto Workers Scorpions 28 August 1994 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle R. Williams V
1995 (6) Kurri Workers Bulldogs 24 – 4 Western Suburbs Rosellas 20 August 1995 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle R. Williams V
1996 (7) Lakes United Seagulls 16 – 6 Western Suburbs Rosellas 1 September 1996 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle T. Hardy
1997 (14) Western Suburbs Rosellas 26 – 16 Lakes United Seagulls 7 September 1997 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle R. Williams
1998 (15) Western Suburbs Rosellas 51 – 14 South Newcastle Lions 23 August 1998 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle D. Andrews
1999 (16) Western Suburbs Rosellas 22 – 18 Cessnock Goannas 22 August 1999 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle T. Hardy
2000 (6) Waratah-Mayfield Cheetahs 20 – 14 Lakes United Seagulls 10 September 2000 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle D. Andrews V1

V2

2001 (8) Lakes United Seagulls 18 – 10 Western Suburbs Rosellas 26 August 2001 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle T. Hardy V
2002 (17) Western Suburbs Rosellas 27 – 16 Lakes United Seagulls 8 September 2002 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle J. Taylor
2003 (8) Cessnock Goannas 22 – 20 Raymond Terrace Magpies 31 August 2003 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle D. Andrews
2004 (18) Western Suburbs Rosellas 32 – 28 Northern Blues 5 September 2004 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle J. Taylor
2005 Northern Blues 30 – 12 Western Suburbs Rosellas 11 September 2005 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle D. Sproule
2006 (9) Lakes United Seagulls 40 – 22 Nelson Bay Blues 3 September 2006 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle D. Sproule
2007 (10) Lakes United Seagulls 32 – 12 Wyong Roos 2 September 2007 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle D. Sproule V
2008 (19) Western Suburbs Rosellas 12 – 10 Cessnock Goannas 31 August 2008 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle D. Smith
2009 Wyong Roos 36 – 4 Cessnock Goannas 13 September 2009 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle D. Oultram
2010 (9) Maitland Pickers 24 – 8 Cessnock Goannas 19 September 2010 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle D. Smith
2011 (10) Maitland Pickers 19 – 18 Western Suburbs Rosellas 18 September 2011 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle D. Oultram V
2012 (20) Western Suburbs Rosellas 16 – 14 Cessnock Goannas 23 September 2012 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle D. Oultram V
2013 (21) Western Suburbs Rosellas 21 – 8 Kurri Kurri Bulldogs 22 September 2013 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle J. Taylor V
2014 (22) Western Suburbs Rosellas 22 – 8 Cessnock Goannas 21 September 2014 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle J. Taylor V
2015 (11) Lakes United Seagulls 24 – 18 Macquarie Scorpions 27 September 2015 Hunter Stadium, Newcastle J. Taylor V
2016 (10) South Newcastle Lions 21 – 12 Macquarie Scorpions 18 September 2016 Hunter Stadium, Newcastle T. Aylett V
2017 (2) Macquarie Scorpions 24 – 6 Western Suburbs Rosellas 23 September 2017 McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle T. Aylett V
2018 (11) South Newcastle Lions 30 – 18 Lakes United Seagulls 23 September 2018 McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle L. Matheson V
2019 (23) Western Suburbs Rosellas 36 – 20 Cessnock Goannas 22 September 2019 McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle J. Butler V
2020 (9) Cessnock Goannas 20 – 6 South Newcastle Lions 18 October 2020 Maitland Sportsground, Maitland T. Taylor V
2021 Competition cancelled due to Covid-19
2022 (11) Maitland Pickers 40 – 4 Macquarie Scorpions 11 September 2022 McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle J. Butler V
2023 (12) Maitland Pickers 46 – 10 South Newcastle Lions 3 September 2023 McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle J. Butler V
2024 (13) Maitland Pickers 24 – 4 Central Newcastle Butcher Boys 29 September 2024 McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle J. Butler V

Team Performance

Team Winners Runners-up Years won Years runner-up
Western Suburbs Rosellas 23 21 1912, 1915, 1916, 1922, 1961, 1966, 1970, 1978, 1980, 1981,

1982, 1984, 1992, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2002, 2004, 2008, 2012,

2013, 2014, 2019

1913, 1919, 1921, 1939, 1944, 1946, 1964, 1967, 1973, 1974,

1975, 1976, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1996, 2001, 2005, 2011,

2017

North Newcastle Bluebags 15 9 1911, 1914, 1920, 1925, 1926, 1929, 1935, 1938, 1948, 1951

1953, 1959, 1962, 1967, 1979

1915, 1916, 1919, 1923, 1924, 1927, 1928, 1931, 1947
Maitland Pickers 13 8 1956, 1957, 1958, 1965, 1969, 1971, 1973, 1983, 2010, 2011,

2022, 2023, 2024

1951, 1954, 1955, 1959, 1960, 1970, 1972, 1977
South Newcastle Lions 11 15 1927, 1943, 1946, 1963, 1964, 1968, 1976, 1988, 1989, 2016,

2018

1910, 1920, 1926, 1930, 1941, 1942, 1944, 1962, 1965, 1978,

1986, 1987, 1998, 2020, 2023

Lakes United Seagulls 11 12 1947, 1974, 1975, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1996, 2001, 2006, 2007,

2015

1952, 1968, 1969, 1971, 1984, 1988, 1990, 1992, 1997, 2000,

2002, 2018

Cessnock Goannas 9 20 1941, 1950, 1954, 1955, 1960, 1972, 1977, 2003, 2020 1932, 1936, 1937, 1940, 1953, 1956, 1958, 1966, 1979, 1980,

1981, 1983, 1985, 1999, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2019

Central Newcastle Butcher Boys 7 7 1910, 1921, 1928, 1930, 1937, 1939, 1949 1911, 1914, 1922, 1935, 1950, 1963, 2024
Waratah-Mayfield Cheetahs 6 6 1936, 1942, 1944, 1952, 1990, 2000 1929, 1933, 1934, 1938, 1943, 1961
Kurri Kurri Bulldogs 6 5 1931, 1940, 1945, 1993, 1994, 1995 1948, 1949, 1957, 1982, 2013
East Newcastle 5 2 1913, 1919, 1923, 1924, 1932 1912, 1925
Macquarie Scorpions 2 4 1991, 2017 1994, 2015, 2016, 2022
Maitland United Pumpkin Pickers 2 0 1933, 1934 —
Northern Blues 1 2 2005 2004, 2006
Wyong Roos 1 1 2009 2007
Central-South Newcastle 1 0 1919 —
Raymond Terrace Magpies 0 1 — 2003

Reserve Grade

Year Premiers Score Runners-up Match Information
Date Venue Referee Video
NSWRL Northern Branch Second Grade (1910–16)
1910 Northern Suburbs (R) 7 – 2 Waratah 13 August 1910 Hamilton League Ground, Newcastle W. Gower
1911 (2) Northern Suburbs (R) 15 – 3 Western Suburbs (R) 26 August 1911 Hamilton League Ground, Newcastle R. Lawson
1912 (3) Northern Suburbs (R) 12 – 7 Western Suburbs (R) 24 August 1912 Newcastle Sportsground, Newcastle H. Poulton
1913 Western Suburbs (R) 14 – 3 Central Newcastle (R)
1914 (2) Western Suburbs (R) 23 – 7 Northern Suburbs (R) 29 August 1914 Newcastle Sportsground, Newcastle W. Reid
1915 (3) Western Suburbs (R) 13 – 3 Northern Suburbs (R) 29 August 1915 Hamilton League Ground, Newcastle
1916 No Official Competition Contested
1917
1918
1919
Newcastle Rugby League Reserve Grade (1920–present)
1920 South Newcastle (R) 5 – 0 Northern Suburbs (R)
1921 Broadmeadow 5 – 2 Carrington 27 August 1921 Newcastle Showground, Newcastle
1922 (4) Northern Suburbs (R) 2 – 0 Eastern Suburbs (R) 12 August 1922 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle W. Reid
1923 (2) South Newcastle (R) 13 – 2 Toronto 8 September 1923 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle
1924 Carrington 5 – 3 South Newcastle (R) 23 August 1924 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle
1925 (2) Carrington 17 – 11 Western Suburbs (R) 18 July 1925 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle
1926 (5) Northern Suburbs (R) 8 – 2 Eastern Suburbs (R) 11 September 1926 Newcastle Showground, Newcastle W. Ashton
1927 (3) South Newcastle (R) 13 – 5 Maitland United (R) 15 October 1927 Newcastle Showground, Newcastle G. Patterson
1928 Eastern Suburbs (R) 6 – 0 Northern Suburbs (R) 22 September 1928 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle J. Williams
1929 (2) Eastern Suburbs (R) 31 – 5 Kurri Kurri (R) 5 October 1929 Waratah Oval, Newcastle
1930 (6) Northern Suburbs (R) 10 – 7 South Newcastle (R) 4 October 1930 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle J. Mercer
1931 (7) Northern Suburbs Bluebags (R) 24 – 4 Western Suburbs Rosellas (R) 19 September 1931 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle H. Brown
1932 (3) Eastern Suburbs (R) 14 – 5 Maitland United Pumpkin Pickers (R) 3 September 1932 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle
1933 Maitland United Pumpkin Pickers (R) 5 – 4 Cessnock (R) 30 September 1933 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle J. Mercer
1934 Cessnock (R) 14 – 11 Maitland United Pumpkin Pickers (R) 22 September 1934 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle
1935 (8) Northern Suburbs Bluebags (R) 13 – 7 Cessnock (R) 5 October 1935 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle T. Taylor
1936 Kurri Kurri (R) 17 – 8 Waratah-Mayfield (R) 19 September 1936 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle N. Thompson
1937 (9) Northern Suburbs Bluebags (R) 15 – 7 Kurri Kurri (R) 4 September 1937 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle H. Brown
1938 (4) Eastern Suburbs (R) 7 – 3 Northern Suburbs Bluebags (R) 24 September 1938 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle C. Ireland
1939 Waratah-Mayfield (R) 20 – 7 Central Newcastle (R) 9 September 1939 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle H. Brown
1940 (4) Western Suburbs Rosellas (R) 10 – 3 Northern Suburbs Bluebags (R) 21 September 1940 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle R. Lewis
1941 (4) South Newcastle (R) 8 – 7 Western Suburbs Rosellas (R) 20 September 1940 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle R. Wheatley
1942 (2) Waratah-Mayfield (R) 6 – 3 South Newcastle (R) 10 October 1942 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle
1943 (5) South Newcastle (R) 8 – 7 Waratah-Mayfield (R) 4 September 1943 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle
1944 (6) South Newcastle (R) 5 – 0 Northern Suburbs Bluebags (R) 16 September 1944 New Lambton Oval, Newcastle R. Baker
1945 (10) Northern Suburbs Bluebags (R) 11 – 2 Kurri Kurri Cooks (R) 15 September 1945 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle L. Jensen
1946 Central Newcastle (R) 23 – 4 Belmont 17 August 1946 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle
1947 (2) Kurri Kurri Cooks (R) 26 – 12 South Newcastle (R) 20 September 1947 New Lambton Oval, Newcastle
1948 (3) Kurri Kurri Cooks (R) 29 – 2 South Newcastle (R)
1949 (2) Central Newcastle (R) 5 – 4 Cessnock (R)
1950 (11) Northern Suburbs Bluebags (R) 15 – 6 Cessnock (R)
1951 (2) Cessnock (R) 15 – 13 Northern Suburbs Bluebags (R)
1952 (3) Cessnock (R) 36 – 0 Waratah-Mayfield (R)
1953 (5) Western Suburbs Rosellas (R) 9 – 8 Cessnock (R)
1954 (4) Cessnock (R) 9 – 8 Northern Suburbs Bluebags (R)
1955 (3) Waratah-Mayfield (R) 12 – 7 Cessnock (R)
1956 Maitland Pumpkin Pickers (R) 14 – 6 Cessnock (R)
1957 (5) Cessnock (R) 28 – 6 South Newcastle (R)
1958 (6) Cessnock (R) 20 – 5 Waratah-Mayfield (R)
1959 (2) Maitland Pumpkin Pickers (R) 14 – 8 Lakes United Seagulls (R)
1960 (6) Western Suburbs Rosellas (R) 13 – 5 Maitland Pumpkin Pickers (R)
1961 (7) Western Suburbs Rosellas (R) 15 – 12 Maitland Pumpkin Pickers (R)
1962 (8) Western Suburbs Rosellas (R) 14 – 3 Maitland Pumpkin Pickers (R)
1963 (7) South Newcastle Lions (R) 10 – 6 Northern Suburbs Bluebags (R) 28 September 1963 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle B. O'Brien
1964 (7) Cessnock (R) 15 – 4 Kurri Kurri Cooks (R)
1965 (9) Western Suburbs Rosellas (R) 22 – 11 Maitland Pumpkin Pickers (R)
1966 (10) Western Suburbs Rosellas (R) 19 – 9 Maitland Pumpkin Pickers (R)
1967 (11) Western Suburbs Rosellas (R) 21 – 9 Lakes United Seagulls (R)
1968 (12) Western Suburbs Rosellas (R) 15 – 9 Northern Suburbs Bluebags (R) 14 September 1968 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle W. Humphries
1969 (13) Western Suburbs Rosellas (R) 14 – 8 South Newcastle Lions (R)
1970 (3) Maitland Pumpkin Pickers (R) 16 – 15 Western Suburbs Rosellas (R)
1971 (14) Western Suburbs Rosellas (R) 16 – 12 Maitland Pumpkin Pickers (R)
1972 (15) Western Suburbs Rosellas (R) 12 – 6 Maitland Pumpkin Pickers (R)
1973 (4) Kurri Kurri Cooks (R) 19 – 7 Maitland Pumpkin Pickers (R)
1974 Macquarie United Scorpions (R) 19 – 14 Western Suburbs Rosellas (R) 15 September 1974 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle
1975 (16) Western Suburbs Rosellas (R) 12 – 10 Lakes United Seagulls (R) 14 September 1975 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle
1976 Lakes United Seagulls (R) 20 – 12 Western Suburbs Rosellas (R) 12 September 1976 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle
1977 (8) Cessnock Goannas (R) 17 – 15 Western Suburbs Rosellas (R) 11 September 1977 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle J. Geddes
1978 (9) Cessnock Goannas (R) 15 – 7 Maitland Pumpkin Pickers (R) 17 September 1978 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle C. Russell
1979 (17) Western Suburbs Rosellas (R) 29 – 6 Maitland Pumpkin Pickers (R) 16 September 1979 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle D. Thornton
1980 (10) Cessnock Goannas (R) 15 – 14 Western Suburbs Rosellas (R) 14 September 1980 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle C. Russell
1981 (5) Kurri Kurri Bulldogs (R) 21 – 12 Cessnock Goannas (R) 20 September 1981 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle C. Russell
1982 (18) Western Suburbs Rosellas (R) 21 – 10 Maitland Pumpkin Pickers (R)
1983 (2) Lakes United Seagulls (R) 19 – 8 Cessnock Goannas (R) 11 September 1983 Newcastle International Sports Centre, Newcastle G. Turnbull
1984 (19) Western Suburbs Rosellas (R) 32 – 14 Waratah-Mayfield Cheetahs (R) 9 September 1984 Newcastle International Sports Centre, Newcastle K. Marker
1985 (3) Lakes United Seagulls (R) 10 – 2 Western Suburbs Rosellas (R) 8 September 1985 Newcastle International Sports Centre, Newcastle T. Garrett
1986 (20) Western Suburbs Rosellas (R) 8 – 6 South Newcastle Lions (R) 14 September 1986 Newcastle International Sports Centre, Newcastle P. Lovett
1987 (4) Maitland Pumpkin Pickers (R) 19 – 18 Western Suburbs Rosellas (R) 30 August 1987 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle K. Marker
1988 (21) Western Suburbs Rosellas (R) 20 – 0 Maitland Pumpkin Pickers (R) 21 August 1988 Newcastle International Sports Centre, Newcastle P. Lovett
1989 (22) Western Suburbs Rosellas (R) 24 – 6 Maitland Pumpkin Pickers (R) 3 September 1989 Newcastle International Sports Centre, Newcastle T. Hardy
1990 (4) Lakes United Seagulls (R) South Newcastle Lions (R) 19 August 1990 Harker Oval, Newcastle R. Haines
1991 (8) South Newcastle Lions (R) 32 – 24 Western Suburbs Rosellas (R) 1 September 1991 Harker Oval, Newcastle R. Haines
1992 (23) Western Suburbs Rosellas (R) Lakes United Seagulls (R) 6 September 1992 Harker Oval, Newcastle R. Williams
1993 (4) Waratah-Mayfield Cheetahs (R) South Newcastle Lions (R) 29 August 1993 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle R. Williams
1994 (5) Maitland Pumpkin Pickers (R) South Newcastle Lions (R) 28 August 1994 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle T. Sutcliffe
1995 (5) Lakes United Seagulls (R) Maitland Pumpkin Pickers (R) 20 August 1995 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle T. Sutcliffe
1996 (24) Western Suburbs Rosellas (R) Kurri Workers Bulldogs (R) 1 September 1996 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle R. Williams
1997 (25) Western Suburbs Rosellas (R) South Newcastle Lions (R) 7 September 1997 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle T. Hardy
1998 (9) South Newcastle Lions (R) Western Suburbs Rosellas (R) 23 August 1998 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle D. Sproule
1999 (10) South Newcastle Lions (R) Lakes United Seagulls (R) 22 August 1999 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle G. Stair
2000 (26) Western Suburbs Rosellas (R) Lakes United Seagulls (R) 10 September 2000 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle J. Taylor
2001 (27) Western Suburbs Rosellas (R) Cessnock Goannas (R) 26 August 2001 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle D. Andrews
2002 (28) Western Suburbs Rosellas (R) Cessnock Goannas (R) 8 September 2002 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle D. Smith
2003 (29) Western Suburbs Rosellas (R) Raymond Terrace Magpies 31 August 2003 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle J. Taylor
2004 Wyong Roos (R) Lakes United Seagulls (R) 5 September 2004 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle G. West
2005 (30) Western Suburbs Rosellas (R) Wyong Roos (R) 11 September 2005 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle J. Taylor
2006 (2) Macquarie Scorpions (R) Nelson Bay Blues (R) 3 September 2006 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle J. Taylor
2007 (31) Western Suburbs Rosellas (R) 22 – 10 Cessnock Goannas (R) 2 September 2007 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle J. Taylor V
2008 (3) Macquarie Scorpions (R) Western Suburbs Rosellas (R) 31 August 2008 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle J. Taylor
2009 (11) South Newcastle Lions (R) 19 – 18 Macquarie Scorpions (R) 13 September 2009 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle J. Taylor
2010 (6) Maitland Pickers (R) 22 – 4 Central Newcastle Butcher Boys (R) 19 September 2010 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle D. Oultram V
2011 (32) Western Suburbs Rosellas (R) 32 – 10 Wyong Roos (R) 18 September 2011 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle J. Taylor V
2012 (33) Western Suburbs Rosellas (R) Maitland Pickers (R) 23 September 2012 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle J. Taylor
2013 (4) Macquarie Scorpions (R) Western Suburbs Rosellas (R) 22 September 2013 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle T. Aylett V1

V2

2014 (34) Western Suburbs Rosellas (R) 28 – 20 Central Newcastle Butcher Boys (R) 21 September 2014 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle R. Walters V
2015 (6) Lakes United Seagulls (R) 19 – 18 Western Suburbs Rosellas (R) 27 September 2015 Hunter Stadium, Newcastle G. Stair V
2016 (7) Lakes United Seagulls (R) 22 – 20 Western Suburbs Rosellas (R) 18 September 2016 Hunter Stadium, Newcastle J. Taylor V
2017 (35) Western Suburbs Rosellas (R) 31 – 12 South Newcastle Lions (R) 23 September 2017 McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle T. Taylor V
2018 (5) Macquarie Scorpions (R) 34 – 10 Central Newcastle Butcher Boys (R) 23 September 2018 McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle T. Taylor V
2019 (36) Western Suburbs Rosellas (R) 18 – 16 South Newcastle Lions (R) 22 September 2019 McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle T. Taylor V
2020 (37) Western Suburbs Rosellas (R) 13 – 12 Wyong Roos (R) 18 October 2020 Maitland Sportsground, Maitland L. Matheson V
2021 Competition cancelled due to Covid-19
2022 Northern Hawks 20 – 0 Western Suburbs Rosellas (R) 11 September 2022 McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle T. Taylor V
2023 (38) Western Suburbs Rosellas (R) 14 – 6 Maitland Pickers (R) 3 September 2023 McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle B. Hunt V
2024 (7) Maitland Pickers (R) 24 – 22 Lakes United Seagulls (R) 29 September 2024 McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle K. Grogan V

Team Performance

Team Winners Runners-up Years won Years runner-up
Western Suburbs Rosellas (R) 38 19 1913, 1914, 1915, 1940, 1953, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1965, 1966,

1967, 1968, 1969, 1971, 1972, 1975, 1979, 1982, 1984, 1986,

1988, 1989, 1992, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005,

2007, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2023

1911, 1912, 1925, 1931, 1941, 1970, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1980,

1985, 1987, 1991, 1998, 2008, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2022

South Newcastle Lions (R) 11 14 1920, 1923, 1927, 1941, 1943, 1944, 1963, 1991, 1998, 1999,

2009

1924, 1930, 1942, 1947, 1948, 1957, 1969, 1986, 1990,

1993, 1994, 1997, 2017, 2019

North Newcastle Bluebags (R) 11 11 1910, 1911, 1912, 1922, 1926, 1930, 1931, 1935, 1937, 1945,

1950

1914, 1915, 1920, 1928, 1938, 1940, 1944, 1951, 1954, 1963,

1968

Cessnock Goannas (R) 10 12 1934, 1951, 1952, 1954, 1957, 1958, 1964, 1977, 1978, 1980 1933, 1935, 1949, 1950, 1953, 1955, 1956, 1981, 1983, 2001,

2002, 2007

Maitland Pickers (R) 7 16 1956, 1959, 1970, 1987, 1994, 2010, 2024 1960, 1961, 1962, 1965, 1966, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1978, 1979,

1982, 1988, 1989, 1995, 2012, 2023

Lakes United Seagulls (R) 7 8 1976, 1983, 1985, 1990, 1995, 2015, 2016 1959, 1967, 1975, 1992, 1999, 2000, 2004, 2024
Kurri Kurri Bulldogs (R) 5 5 1936, 1947, 1948, 1973, 1981 1929, 1937, 1945, 1964, 1996
Macquarie Scorpions (R) 5 1 1974, 2006, 2008, 2013, 2018 2009
Waratah-Mayfield Cheetahs (R) 4 5 1939, 1942, 1955, 1993 1936, 1943, 1952, 1958, 1984
East Newcastle (R) 4 2 1928, 1929, 1932, 1938 1922, 1926
Central Newcastle Butcher Boys (R) 2 5 1946, 1949 1913, 1939, 2010, 2014, 2018
Carrington 2 1 1924, 1925 1921
Maitland United Pumpkin Pickers (R) 1 3 1933 1927, 1932, 1934
Wyong Roos (R) 1 3 2004 2005, 2011, 2020
Broadmeadow 1 0 1921 —
Northern Hawks 1 0 2022 —
Waratah 0 1 — 1910
Toronto 0 1 — 1923
Belmont 0 1 — 1946
Raymond Terrace Magpies (R) 0 1 — 2003
Northern Blues (R) 0 1 — 2006

Under 19s

Year Premiers Score Runners-up Match Information
Date Venue Referee Video
Newcastle Rugby League Under 19s (2008, 2015–present)
2008 31 August 2008 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle D. Oultram
2009 Under 19s played as Third Grade competition
2010 No Under 19s competition held
2011
2012
Newcastle Rugby League Under 18s Division 1 (2013–14)
2013 22 September 2013 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle B. Teague
2014 Western Suburbs Rosellas (U18s) 16 – 8 Maitland Pickers (U18s) 21 September 2014 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle C. Mitchell V
Newcastle Rugby League Under 19s (2008, 2015–present)
2015 Central Newcastle Butcher Boys (U19s) 14 – 12 Maitland Pickers (U19s) 27 September 2015 Hunter Stadium, Newcastle T. Taylor V
2016 Lakes United Seagulls (U19s) 12 – 8 Central Newcastle Butcher Boys (U19s) 18 September 2016 Hunter Stadium, Newcastle J. Flett V
2017 Cessnock Goannas (U19s) 16 – 6 Lakes United Seagulls (U19s) 23 September 2017 McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle D. Clarke V
2018 Maitland Pickers (U19s) 13 – 6 Western Suburbs Rosellas (U19s) 23 September 2018 McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle B. Eyb V
2019 Lakes United Seagulls (U19s) 14 – 4 Western Suburbs Rosellas (U19s) 22 September 2019 McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle B. Eyb V
2020 Central Newcastle Butcher Boys (U19s) 26 – 24 Lakes United Seagulls (U19s) 18 October 2020 Maitland Sportsground, Maitland B. Eyb V
2021 Competition cancelled due to Covid-19
2022 Western Suburbs Rosellas (U19s) 22 – 16 Lakes United Seagulls (U19s) 11 September 2022 McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle B. Hunt V
2023 Lakes United Seagulls (U19s) 14 – 11 Western Suburbs Rosellas (U19s) 3 September 2023 McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle S. Daley V
2024 Lakes United Seagulls (U19s) 32 – 12 Western Suburbs Rosellas (U19s) 29 September 2024 McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle T. Taylor V

Women's

Year Premiers Score Runners-up Match Information
Date Venue Referee Video
Newcastle Rugby League Women's Premiership (2024–present)
2024 Maitland Pickers (W) 16 – 10 Lakes United Seagulls (W) 29 September 2024 McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle S. Daley V

Team Performance

Team Winners Runners-up Years won Years runner-up
Maitland Pickers (W) 1 0 2024 —
Lakes United Seagulls (W) 0 1 — 2024

Former Competitions

Open Grade

Year Premiers Score Runners-up Match Information
Date Venue Referee Video
Newcastle Rugby League Third Grade (1955–80, 1984–96, 2001)
1955 South Newcastle (C) 10 – 2 Cessnock (C)
1956 Maitland Pumpkin Pickers (C) 10 – 9 Cessnock (C)
1957 Cessnock (C) 14 – 7 Maitland Pumpkin Pickers (C)
1958 (2) South Newcastle (C) 9 – 5 Cessnock (C)
1959 Lakes United Seagulls (C) 13 – 7 Western Suburbs Rosellas (C)
1960 (2) Maitland Pumpkin Pickers (C) 24 – 4 Cessnock (C)
1961 (3) Maitland Pumpkin Pickers (C) 9 – 7 Western Suburbs Rosellas (C)
1962 (4) Maitland Pumpkin Pickers (C) 13 – 11 Lakes United Seagulls (C)
1963 Western Suburbs Rosellas (C) 15 – 0 South Newcastle Lions (C)
1964 (2) Western Suburbs Rosellas (C) 28 – 6 Kurri Kurri Cooks (C)
1965 (3) Western Suburbs Rosellas (C) 30 – 15 Maitland Pumpkin Pickers (C)
1966 (4) Western Suburbs Rosellas (C) 41 – 0 Kurri Kurri Cooks (C)
1967 (5) Western Suburbs Rosellas (C) 16 – 10 Northern Suburbs Bluebags (C) 26 August 1967 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle W. Humphries
1968 (6) Western Suburbs Rosellas (C) 12 – 0 South Newcastle Lions (C)
1969 (7) Western Suburbs Rosellas (C) 23 – 16 Maitland Pumpkin Pickers (C)
1970 (8) Western Suburbs Rosellas (C) 24 – 5 Maitland Pumpkin Pickers (C)
1971 (9) Western Suburbs Rosellas (C) 13 – 8 Lakes United Seagulls (C)
1972 (10) Western Suburbs Rosellas (C) 40 – 7 South Newcastle Lions (C)
1973 (3) South Newcastle Lions (C) 16 – 15 Western Suburbs Rosellas (C)
1974 (5) Maitland Pumpkin Pickers (C) 28 – 11 Northern Suburbs Bluebags (C) 15 September 1974 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle J. Smith
1975 Northern Suburbs Bluebags (C) 16 – 9 Western Suburbs Rosellas (C) 14 September 1975 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle K. Marker
1976 (11) Western Suburbs Rosellas (C) 39 – 2 Northern Suburbs Bluebags (C) 12 September 1976 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle J. Geddes
1977 (6) Maitland Pumpkin Pickers (C) 27 – 9 Western Suburbs Rosellas (C)
1978 (2) Lakes United Seagulls (C) 18 – 11 Cessnock Goannas (C) 17 September 1978 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle M. Walsh
1979 Central Charlestown Butcher Boys (C) 10 – 9 Western Suburbs Rosellas (C) 16 September 1979 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle J. Manning
1980 (12) Western Suburbs Rosellas (C) 26 – 11 Cessnock Goannas (C) 14 September 1980 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle G. Tranter
Newcastle Rugby League Under 23s (1981–83, 2013–14)
1981 Waratah-Mayfield Cheetahs (U23s) 24 – 23 Lakes United Seagulls (U23s) 20 September 1981 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle R. Conley
1982 (4) South Newcastle Lions (U23s) 16 – 10 Western Suburbs Rosellas (U23s)
1983 (3) Lakes United Seagulls (U23s) 30 – 14 Macquarie Scorpions (U23s) 11 September 1983 Newcastle International Sports Centre, Newcastle T. Garrett
Newcastle Rugby League Third Grade (1955–80, 1984–96, 2001)
1984 (13) Western Suburbs Rosellas (C) 17 – 0 Maitland Pumpkin Pickers (C) 9 September 1984 Newcastle International Sports Centre, Newcastle G. Newman
1985 (2) Waratah-Mayfield Cheetahs (C) Lakes United Seagulls (C) 8 September 1985 Newcastle International Sports Centre, Newcastle R. Williams
1986 Kurri Kurri Bulldogs (C) Waratah-Mayfield Cheetahs (C) 14 September 1986 Newcastle International Sports Centre, Newcastle C. Russell
1987 (14) Western Suburbs Rosellas (C) 28 – 8 South Newcastle Lions (C) 30 August 1987 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle J. Crich
1988 (7) Maitland Pumpkin Pickers (C) Western Suburbs Rosellas (C) 21 August 1988 Newcastle International Sports Centre, Newcastle C. McCarthy
1989 (15) Western Suburbs Rosellas (C) 10 – 2 South Newcastle Lions (C) 3 September 1989 Newcastle International Sports Centre, Newcastle S. Crich
1990 (3) Waratah-Mayfield Cheetahs (C) Cessnock Goannas (C) 19 August 1990 Harker Oval, Newcastle R. Aurelius
1991 (16) Western Suburbs Rosellas (C) 18 – 14 Lakes United Seagulls (C) 1 September 1991 Harker Oval, Newcastle T. Davis
1992 (17) Western Suburbs Rosellas (C) 14 – 3 Waratah-Mayfield Cheetahs (C) 6 September 1992 Harker Oval, Newcastle P. Riddell V
1993 (4) Waratah-Mayfield Cheetahs (C) Lakes United Seagulls (C) 29 August 1993 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle T. Sutcliffe
1994 (4) Lakes United Seagulls (C) Western Suburbs Rosellas (C) 28 August 1994 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle T. Yarrow
1995 (18) Western Suburbs Rosellas (C) Lakes United Seagulls (C) 20 August 1995 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle G. Stair
1996 (5) South Newcastle Lions (C) Western Suburbs Rosellas (C) 1 September 1996 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle T. Sutcliffe
Newcastle Rugby League Under 20s (1997–99, 2002)
1997 (5) Lakes United Seagulls (U20s) Western Suburbs Rosellas (U20s) 7 September 1997 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle D. Andrews
1998 (19) Western Suburbs Rosellas (U20s) South Newcastle Lions (U20s) 23 August 1998 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle T. Hardy
1999 (20) Western Suburbs Rosellas (U20s) South Newcastle Lions (U20s) 22 August 1999 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle D. Andrews
Newcastle Rugby League Under 19s (2000, 2009)
2000 (21) Western Suburbs Rosellas (U19s) Central Charlestown Butcher Boys (U19s) 10 September 2000 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle T. Hardy
Newcastle Rugby League Third Grade (1955–80, 1984–96, 2001)
2001 Raymond Terrace Magpies (C) Western Suburbs Rosellas (C) 26 August 2001 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle J. Taylor
Newcastle Rugby League Under 20s (1997–99, 2002)
2002 (22) Western Suburbs Rosellas (U20s) Lakes United Seagulls (U20s) 8 September 2002 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle A. Hinds
Newcastle Rugby League Open Age (2003–08, 2015–19)
2003 Wyong Roos (C) Lakes United Seagulls (C) 31 August 2003 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle G. Ryan
2004 (23) Western Suburbs Rosellas (C) Wyong Roos (C) 5 September 2004 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle S. Wyld
2005 (24) Western Suburbs Rosellas (C) South Newcastle Lions (C) 11 September 2005 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle S. Wyld
2006 (6) South Newcastle Lions (C) Western Suburbs Rosellas (C) 3 September 2006 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle D. Oultram
2007 (2) Wyong Roos (C) Western Suburbs Rosellas (C) 2 September 2007 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle G. Stair
2008 Macquarie Scorpions (C) Western Suburbs Rosellas (C) 31 August 2008 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle G. Stair
Newcastle Rugby League Under 19s (2000, 2009)
2009 (25) Western Suburbs Rosellas (U19s) 26 – 20 South Newcastle Lions (U19s) 13 September 2009 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle S. Smith
Newcastle Rugby League Presidents Cup (2010–12)
2010 (26) Western Suburbs Rosellas (C) Wyong Roos (C) 19 September 2010 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle J. Taylor
2011 (27) Western Suburbs Rosellas (C) South Newcastle Lions (C) 18 September 2011 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle T. Aylett
2012 (28) Western Suburbs Rosellas (C) Wyong Roos (C) 23 September 2012 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle T. Aylett
Newcastle Rugby League Under 23s (1981–83, 2013–14)
2013 (2) Central Newcastle Butcher Boys (U23s) South Newcastle Lions (U23s) 22 September 2013 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle G. Stair
2014 (3) Central Newcastle Butcher Boys (U23s) 17 – 16 South Newcastle Lions (U23s) 21 September 2014 Newcastle No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle T. Aylett V
Newcastle Rugby League Open Age (2003–08, 2015–19)
2015 (2) Kurri Kurri Bulldogs (C) 16 – 6 South Newcastle Lions (C) 27 September 2015 Hunter Stadium, Newcastle T. Aylett V
2016 (6) Lakes United Seagulls (C) 18 – 12 Kurri Kurri Bulldogs (C) 18 September 2016 Hunter Stadium, Newcastle G. Stair V
2017 No Third Grade competition held
2018 (7) South Newcastle Lions (C) 22 – 6 Macquarie Scorpions (C) 23 September 2018 McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle G. Stair V
2019 (8) Maitland Pickers (C) 20 – 16 Western Suburbs Rosellas (C) 22 September 2019 McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle J. White V
2020 Competition cancelled due to Covid-19

Team Performance

Team Winners Runners-up Years won Years runner-up
Western Suburbs Rosellas (C, U23s, U20s, U19s) 28 16 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972,

1976, 1980, 1984, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1995, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012

1959, 1961, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1979, 1982, 1988, 1994, 1996,

1997, 2001, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2019

Maitland Pickers (C) 8 5 1956, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1974, 1977, 1988, 2019 1957, 1965, 1969, 1970, 1984
South Newcastle Lions (C, U23s, U20s, U19s) 7 13 1955, 1958, 1973, 1982, 1996, 2006, 2018 1963, 1968, 1972, 1987, 1989, 1998, 1999, 2005, 2011, 2015,

2009, 2013, 2014

Lakes United Seagulls (C, U23s, U20s) 6 9 1959, 1978, 1983, 1994, 1997, 2016 1962, 1971, 1981, 1985, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1995, 2003
Waratah-Mayfield Cheetahs (C, U23s) 4 2 1981, 1985, 1990, 1993 1986, 1992
Central Newcastle Butcher Boys (C, U23s, U19s) 3 1 1979, 2013, 2014 2000
Kurri Kurri Bulldogs (C) 2 3 1986, 2015 1964, 1966, 2016
Wyong Roos (C) 2 3 2003, 2007 2004, 2010, 2012
Cessnock Goannas (C) 1 6 1957 1955, 1956, 1958, 1978, 1980, 1990
North Newcastle Bluebags (C) 1 3 1975 1967, 1974, 1976
Macquarie Scorpions (C, U23s) 1 2 2007 1983, 2018
Raymond Terrace Magpies (C) 1 0 2001 —

Team of the Century

In 2008, rugby league football's centennial year in Australia, the Newcastle Rugby League named its 'Team of the Century':[13]

  1. Clive Churchill (Central Newcastle)
  2. Eddie Lumsden (Kurri Kurri)
  3. Ron Bailey (Waratah-Mayfield)
  4. Brian Carlson (North)
  5. Johnny Graves (Maitland)
  6. Bob Banks (Central Newcastle)
  7. Andrew Johns (Cessnock)
  8. Paul Harragon (Lakes United)
  9. Allan Buman (West Newcastle)
  10. Jim Gibbs (South Newcastle)
  11. Don Schofield (Cessnock)
  12. Herb Narvo (North Newcastle)
  13. (c) Wally Prigg (West Newcastle)
  14. John Sattler (Kurri Kurri)
  15. Albert Paul (Lakes United)
  16. Matthew Gidley (West Newcastle)
  17. Les Johns (South Newcastle)

See also

References

  1. ^ "Newcastle Competitions". users.hunterlink.net.au. Archived from the original on 21 November 2008.
  2. ^ Newcastle Morning Herald Microfiche archive, held at Newcastle University
  3. ^ "Regional and Metro teams to meet in unique 2020 Presidents Cup". New South Wales Rugby League. 30 June 2020.
  4. ^ Josh Callinan (10 December 2020). "Central Coast clubs set to join Newcastle RL in 2021; new-look President's Cup series". Newcastle Herald. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
  5. ^ "Major premiers blank as Newcastle RL campaign over". Newcastle Herald. 3 September 2021.
  6. ^ "Maitland Pickers vs Macquarie Scorpions - Grand Final, 2022 - Match Centre".
  7. ^ "Pickers trample Bulls to win another President's Cup". 25 September 2022.
  8. ^ "Competition: 2023 Denton Engineering Cup Draw".
  9. ^ "Bettridge handed reins to Newcastle Rebels". 23 November 2022.
  10. ^ "Maitland DE Cup vs South Newcastle DE Cup - Grand Final, 2023 - Match Centre".
  11. ^ "Maitland DE Cup vs Central Newcastle DE Cup - Grand Final, 2024 - Match Centre".
  12. ^ "2024 OPORTO WOMEN'S PREMIERSHIP DRAW RELEASE".
  13. ^ "Newcastle Rugby League – Team of the Century". Newcastle Herald. Archived from the original on 22 March 2012. Retrieved 19 November 2011.
  • Power, Bob (1992). The Rebels of Rugby: The Story of Newcastle Rugby League Pioneers "The Bolsheviks vs. The Lilywhites" 1907–1920. Newcastle, New South Wales: self.
  • Ryan, Graham & Betty et al., Newcastle Knights 1988: Collectors Edition, Macquarie Publications, Dubbo, 1988.
  • Pat "Nimmo" Walsh Family archive Newspaper Match Reports.
Quelle: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raymond_Terrace_Magpies