It’s only the half-way stage of the Tooheys Newcastle Rugby League (Real NRL) home and away season… but the best is yet to come.
And, that’s what general manager Adam Devcich trusts will eventuate.
After the weekend action, two combatants Maitland Pickers and Cessnock Goannas now share the lead on the table, with 16, following the latter’s shock loss for the first time in 2023.
Two points in arrears sits the Wyong Roos (14), with three clubs – Macquarie Scorpions, The Entrance Tigers and South Newcastle Lions – locked on 12 each.
Also within striking distance are the Western Suburbs Rosellas (7), Central Newcastle Butcher Boys (7), Northern Hawks (6) and Lakes United Seagulls (6), with the Kurri Kurri Bulldogs (2) languishing behind.
“I believe the standard’s been very good so far,” Devcich said.
“It’s not a one or two-horse race by any means.
“I attended the Maitland and The Entrance fixture on Saturday.
“That was a pretty good game to watch.
“It was similar to the Pickers and Goannas’ clash a few weeks before.
“You just need to string a few victories together… and everything can change.”
Cessnock’s maiden defeat, 26-18, at the hands of Wyong and Northern’s second consecutive triumph, 50-18 over Kurri Kurri, has opened the draw up slightly.
Four showdowns in round 10 – Scorpions v Roos, Rosellas v Hawks, Lions v Goannas, and Tigers v Butcher Boys – boast major importance this time around, too.
“In a perfect world, I’d like to see a competition where everyone’s played eight matches; and they all have four wins and four losses apiece,” Devcich said with a laugh.
“Every person wants a close contest.
“But, I think we’re shaping towards that.
“The top six have a bit of a break on the bottom five.
“However, we’re just half-way… and anything can happen between now and the end of round 18.
“Look at this weekend, for example, when Wests tackles Northern, one of those sides will move closer to the others with a victory.
“So, I hope we can get a bunch of teams fighting it out for the top five over the next nine weeks.”
With several crucial encounters on the horizon, Devcich isn’t ruling out any possibilities either.
“Who knows, one of the bottom five sides could make a late run?” he told the Newcastle Weekly.
“It might be Wests, Central, the Hawks or Lakes, who got close to Macquarie in their last hit-out.
“I’ve been impressed with Northern lately – in its inaugural year, they’ve now won back-to-back games.
“Certainly, the opportunity is there for a bolter to come through.”
One thing is guaranteed though, the big dance will take place at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday 2 September.
“There’s plenty of incentive to pull out all the stops to be there on grand final day,” Devcich said.
“It’s a great venue and a terrific place to host the decider.
“Not just for the players in the Denton Engineering Cup.
“But, the lower grade outfits get a chance to play on McDonald Jones Stadium, too.”
- Points: Maitland Pickers 16, Cessnock Goannas 16, Wyong Roos 14, Macquarie Scorpions 12, The Entrance Tigers 12, South Newcastle Lions 12, Western Suburbs Rosellas 7, Central Newcastle Butcher Boys 7, Northern Hawks 6, Lakes United Seagulls 6, Kurri Kurri Bulldogs 2
Tooheys Newcastle Rugby League
Denton Engineering Cup
Round nine results:
- Macquarie Scorpions d Lakes United Seagulls 32-24
- Maitland Pickers d The Entrance Tigers 25-18
- Wyong Roos d Cessnock Goannas 26-18
- Central Newcastle Butcher Boys drew with Western Suburbs Rosellas 14-all
- Northern Hawks d Kurri Kurri Bulldogs 50-18
- Bye: South Newcastle Lions
Round 10 draw:
Saturday 3 June
- 2pm: Macquarie Scorpions v Wyong Roos (Lyall Peacock Field)
- 3pm: Western Suburbs Rosellas v Northern Hawks (Harker Oval)
- 3pm: Maitland Pickers v Kurri Kurri Bulldogs (No 1 Sportsground)
Sunday 4 June
- 2pm: South Newcastle Lions v Cessnock Goannas (Townson Oval)
- 3pm: The Entrance Tigers v Central Newcastle Butcher Boys (EDSACC Oval)
- Bye: Lakes United Seagulls
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