The weather gods have thrown a spanner in the works this week, with heavy rain and unpredictable conditions threatening to wreak havoc in Newcastle Rugby League (NEWRL).

With finals looming and the top five still far from settled in the Denton Engineering Cup, the washouts and boggy surfaces could play a huge role in shaping results and, potentially, the entire finals make-up.

It’s not just about who you play anymore… it’s about whether you get to take the field at all.

Last week The Entrance put Macquarie to bed in the bog at Singleton.

Pellow was in everything, Doherty tackled everything and Peck was persistent.

The Tigers have started life without Nick Newman and are a genuine finals threat.

On Wednesday night, Maitland pumped the Northern Hawks 40-4 in a cold encounter at Malabulla.

Butterfield was unstoppable, Lamb had it on a string and James Bradley ran like a Group 1 thoroughbred down the straight at Royal Randwick.

The Pickers are officially on their run.

At the “Graveyard”, Wests ended Kurri Kurri’s season in front of a great crowd.

Widders hit form at the right time, cult hero Pat Achurch found the stripe and Hemsley and Pettet got the job done in the middle.

Wests are back on the right trajectory once again. 

Three Weeks. Five Seats. All Bets Are Off

The Denton Engineering Cup has hit its boiling point.

With just three rounds remaining before the top five locks in, the scramble for finals is tighter than ever.

Maitland might be top dog, but spots two through seven are a mosh pit of contenders, each game now carrying massive stakes.

Every clash this weekend feels like a semi-final in disguise. And, for those sitting sixth or seventh… the trapdoor is wide open.

Here’s your full round 16 preview — and what’s at stake:

SOUTH NEWCASTLE (6th, 18 pts) v MAITLAND PICKERS (1st, 25 pts)

SLEAPY’S DAY

Saturday 9 August – 3pm | Townson Oval 

A finals-worthy clash at Townson.

Souths are fighting for their finals’ life — and this is their shot to prove they belong in the top five.

With Central and The Entrance breathing down their neck, they can’t afford to drop this.

But Maitland? They’re clinical, composed and carrying the premiership aura.

A win here all but locks in the minor premiership and sends a message — they won’t be rattled.

Souths will need to be at their absolute peak to topple the reigning premiers and Townson Oval will be a bog-hole given the current conditions, so it’s the middles that will take centre stage. 

The Pickers will be heavily reliant on Jake Lewis and Sam Anderson for ascendency in the middle while the Lions will look to Justin Afflick and Joe Bromage to lead from the front.

Maitland needs to stick to fundamentals and defend well and see off the emotion of the day early.

For Souths, they must chance their arm, it may be now or never as this could be their last roll of the dice in 2025.

Ladder impact:

Souths could slide out of the five if they lose and other results don’t fall their way.Maitland extends its lead atop the table and claim a minor premiership then can almost rest up with two to go.

Just a reminder, if you can’t make it to Townson Oval on the day, you can purchase a virtual seat for $25 and support the good work the charity does within the community. Just jump onto the Sleapy’s Foundation website 

LAKES UNITED (10th, 10 pts) v WESTERN SUBURBS (3rd, 20 pts)

Sunday 10 August – 3pm | Cahill Oval

It’s been a rugged year for the Seagulls, but at home they’ve shown some grit.

Wests, though, are locked in a three-way tie on 20 points with Cessnock and The Entrance — and percentage matters.

The Rosellas can’t afford to take Lakes lightly. This could be a trap game.

Wests blew the Bulldogs off the park on Wednesday night. Lakes haven’t put together a complete performance for some time now. 

The Rosellas need this game to consolidate their position as contenders.

Ladder impact:

Wests need to win big to boost their for-and-against with finals positioning on the line.Lakes are out of the race, but they’d love to ruin someone else’s.

THE ENTRANCE (5th, 20 pts) v CENTRAL NEWCASTLE (7th, 18 pts)

Sunday 10 August – 3pm | EDSACC South

This is the one. Two teams sitting on the edge of finals — with wildly different momentum swings.

The Entrance can virtually lock up a finals berth with a win. Central, with a game in hand, could leapfrog multiple teams if they pull this off. This one feels like an early elimination final.

This is the Butcher Boys’ play-off series come early – with Tigers, a midweek confrontation with Lakes and then a must-win against a pumped-up Cessnock.

If Central can pull off the next three straight and stay healthy, they can make the grand final – a loss here and it’s curtains on a season that promised so much.

Ladder impact:

Winner is likely in the five by the end of the weekend.Loser might be relying on other teams to stumble in rounds 17 and 18.

MACQUARIE (9th, 12 pts) v KURRI KURRI (8th, 16 pts)

Sunday 10 August – 3pm | Lyall Peacock Field

Still mathematically alive — just.

Kurri Kurri is clinging to hope, but it may take Christ himself to be named in the side for the Bulldogs to have any hope.

They are done.

Macquarie is playing for pride after a disappointing year but highlighted by some great wins against highly-fancied opposition.

Expect fireworks, desperation and some big plays from individuals trying to prove something.

Ladder impact:

Kurri Kurri must win. A loss ends their season well and truly – no creative accountant would deny this.Macquarie could play spoiler here and shake the ladder up for others.

WYONG (2nd, 21 pts) v CESSNOCK (4th, 20 pts)

Sunday 10 August – 3pm | Morry Breen Oval

Two teams entrenched in the top five — Wyong has been efficient all year but hasn’t truly exploded, with worrying performances against Lakes and Kurri.

Cessnock is gritty and sits on the same points as Wests and The Entrance.

This one is a battle for pecking order — and perhaps a finals preview.

Cessnock, with its roster, should blow anyone off the park, they aren’t on fire as yet but there are burning embers.

Ladder impact:

Winner gets breathing space and moves toward a potential home final.Loser risks falling into the elimination zone of the top five.

BYE — NORTHERN HAWKS (11th, 2 pts)

The Hawks get a break after a winless campaign. Their role from here is purely spoiler if they can upset anyone in the last two rounds.

With three outings left, there are seven teams fighting for five finals spots. One bad loss could be fatal. One upset win could spark a run. Strap in — every minute matters now.

AROUND THE GROUNDS – THE SILLY SEASON BEGINS 

GOOD SIGNS AT KURRI

Jack Tamburrini, Jack Stringer, Brodie Linnane and Brock Portsmouth have all put pen to paper to remain at the Kennel for the Bulldogs in 2026. All four have enjoyed stellar seasons The Bulldogs have been the standout performers in 2025 and I feel that Paul Stringer is the absolute standout for coach of the year based on year-to-date performance. Kurri fans should be looking to 2026 with high optimism. 

MAITLAND MACHINE NOT FOR SALE 

The efficiency rating at the Pickers is high, with every Denton Engineering Cup squad member locked away on contract for a minimum of at least another season with the exception of fullback Daniel Langbridge, who is joining brother Alex at Wyong in 2026. The players have opted to stick together for the 2026 campaign and beyond with the football department now focused on recruitment of a few key pieces to complement the existing squad. 

GOOD REID BY BUTCHERS 

Harry Reid is set to join Central Newcastle in 2026. After an outstanding year for the Scorpions, Reid will shift to the Butcher Boys next season and look to make the dummy half position his own. A talent and a great piece of recruitment for the Butcher Boys in what will be a congested player market. 

EVERYBODY LOVES TP

There are a stack of clubs making enquires on the services of Tigers fullback Tony Pellow. And, why wouldn’t they? He’s an unbelievable talent. Great news for Tigers fans is that he’s already locked in for 2026 and is very much off the market. TP is going nowhere and the fans in Tiger Town will be pleased to hear the news.

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