Those behind the scenes at Tooheys Newcastle Rugby League (Real NRL) deserve a big pat on the back for the way the season panned out.

Bringing the two Central Coast teams, The Entrance Tigers and Wyong Roos, to the fold a couple of years ago, and the addition of the Northern Hawks in 2023, have provided a massive spark to the Denton Engineering Cup.

Crowd numbers are on the rise, as is the interest in the competition.

And, a lot of that’s due to the quality of players themselves – with a handful boasting NRL experience such as Brayden Musgrove, Kerrod Holland and Brock Lamb – as well as the extensive media coverage these days, and the other platforms to catch the matches, whether it’s BarTV with Paul Arandale or the Real NRL’s own team of Peter Jolly and Tony Delany.

With the finals series now in full swing, there’s plenty to like about the coming weeks, as the Maitland Pickers, South Newcastle Lions, Cessnock Goannas and The Entrance vie for premiership glory.

In fact, all the remaining fixtures have the potential to be nail-biting affairs.

When you look at the calibre of coaches still in the hunt – Matt Lantry (Pickers), Andrew Ryan (Lions), Harry Siejka (Goannas) and Jamy Forbes (Tigers), you know your product is in a good place.

Bring on the decider, which will be played at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday 2 September.

No matter who’s playing, it should provide a fitting finale.

And, it all bodes strongly for 2024.

Most pundits expect the Kurri Kurri Bulldogs, who endured a horrendous eight months, will lift under new mentor, the highly-respected Rip Taylor, while the Lakes United Seagulls (Ian “Bubba” Bourke) and Western Suburbs Rosellas (Rick Stone) boast very promising nurseries moving forward.

The Hawks are predicted to soar, too, with Brad Tighe at the helm, and representative coach Adam Bettridge takes over the reins at the Central Newcastle Butcher Boys.

Plus, you can bet the Roos (Mitch Williams) will aim to improve on their elimination semi berth, while the Matt Roach-led Macquarie Scorpions is certain to bounce back, too, after a shocking run with injuries.

Can it get any better?

Thanks for the memories, Matildas

Wow, what a ride it’s been with our national football side, the Matildas.

While co-hosting the FIFA Women’s World Cup with New Zealand was a highlight in itself, the performance of the Aussies has inspired the country and set the platform for the next generation of soccer stars.

Wherever you go at the moment, there are children, mainly young girls, kicking balls around their front yards or down the park.

So, they’ve created a legacy that will never be forgotten and one we hope that Football Australia takes advantage of.

They should start sending their A-League Women’s stars out to schools, sporting groups, handing out Matildas caps.

Why? Because the sport’s governing body “stuffed up royally” and failed to capitalise on the Socceroos’ successful World Cup campaign.

Let’s cross our fingers we don’t see a repeat of that.

For more sports stories:

• REAL NRL: Tigers to cash in on recent good fortune
• Jane Carpenter’s still kicking goals for Swansea Football Club
• REAL NRL: Harry’s not wild about missing play-offs

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