Readers of this publication would realise it’s no secret that I’m a very, very big fan of Cessnock hooker Luke Huth — and anyone who thinks he wasn’t capable of NRL football needs a HIA assessment.

But, with all due respect, Luke Knight was, in my opinion, the best player on the field in the Country Championship Final.

He was in absolutely everything and his effort areas were elite.

Don’t get me wrong, Huth was a very close second — but Knight owned the key moments in that contest. Whoever made that call was eight cans in.

HAPPY HAWKS

Northern Hawks coach Steve Simpson remains positive about his side’s Denton Engineering Cup campaign and has made some smart additions to this year’s line-up, headlined by the halves pairing of Noah Ryan and Fletcher Myers.

They’ll be complemented by the experience of Ofahiki Ogden and Albert Kelly.

“We have some challenges like every club, but overall I’m pretty happy with where we’re at,” Simpson said.

“We’ve got a lot of talented young guys.

“They’ll take time, but it’s exciting seeing what’s coming through — we’re definitely playing the long game.”

The Hawks, who went winless in 2025, face Lakes United in Magic Round.

BUTCHER BOYS LAND BLUE RIBBON CUT

It’s not AI. Yes — it was Chad O’Donnell turning out in the blue and white for Central on Saturday at Kurri Sportsground in their 24-16 win over the Bulldogs.

O’Donnell joins from Maitland in a major coup for coach Lucas Miller, who now boasts a spine featuring O’Donnell, stalwart Cameron Anderson and the talented Harry Reid.

That’s a platform the Butcher Boys can genuinely build off.

KNIGHT RIDES OFF INTO THE SUNSET

Liam Knight was heavily-rumoured to have done a deal with the Entrance Tigers.

But, it appears he’s traded the boots for speedos and pulled a double somersault backflip out of the agreement.

Sources suggest Knight initially agreed to terms before pushing for an increased deal prior to even lacing up at training.

The Tigers have refused to comment. 

BROTHERS IN ARMS 

On another note, what a moment for the Afflick brothers on the weekend, winning a country championship together alongside your best mate.

Jacob’s skill set has really come to the surface in the past 12 months in the Denton Engineering Cup and his weekly efforts are even more impressive as he doesn’t have the physical size of some of the more celebrated outside backs.

And, when you’re talking about premium middles, there is no argument that brother doesn’t just belong in the conversation, he should be in the top 4. 

CHESS, NOT CHECKERS

Don’t be fooled by Western Suburbs’ trial form — they remain on track for the minor premiership.

The grand chess master Adam Bettridge has managed his roster beautifully, particularly with a host of key players unavailable due to Newcastle Rebels duty.

Only uninformed outsiders would be writing off Wests for a top-two finish.

“Betts” is conducting his orchestra like a maestro.

My honest assessment? Western Suburbs will field their strongest top three grades since the early 2000s.

And, off the back of this, I’ve no doubt I’ll get a message from him saying he’s just hoping to scrape into the top five.

IMMORTAL UNCUT

Former Lakes United premiership-winning halfback Brad Murray has stepped into a blue shirt role at the club for 2026 and Seagulls fans got an early taste of his influence during the off-season when he was mic’d up in a weights session.

Ky Emmerton — who’s doing a great job with the Lakes United socials — should lean all the way into it.

Strap a mic on Murray during Magic Round and give us the uncut version.

There might need to be some censorship… but it’d be must-watch content.

WOBBLY WOMEN’S COMPETITIONS ARE BEING SET UP TO FAIL

Forget the glossy launches and social media hype — the reality is the women’s competitions heading into 2026 are a mess… and everyone inside the game knows it.

Two Milleen Group Premiership clubs are already on shaky ground due to restrictive player movement rules and ridiculous by laws that change in March while another organisation — with strong infrastructure and a respected coach — may not even take the field because they simply don’t have the numbers.

That’s not growth. That’s failure of a system the governing body has created.

One leading Denton Engineering Cup coach didn’t sugar-coat it:

“I’ve given up on the women’s game. The rules are ridiculous. What are they going to do when clubs start paying these girls big money?”

It’s a blunt assessment — but it’s not wrong.

The Player Points Index System has already proven it can work at Denton Cup level. It brings balance, accountability, and competitive integrity. But adopting it in the women’s space would mean handing over control from the NSWRL — and right now, control seems more important than getting the competition right.

So instead, we get half-measures. And the game pays the price.

At the time of print, NEWRL still hasn’t taken ownership of the competition — despite calls from the general manager within its own ranks to do exactly that at the end of last season via email.

Everyone can see the issues. No one’s fixing them.

Then there’s the grading — and this is where it borders on negligent. Actually, it’s comical.

Nelson Bay has lost key players and somehow been elevated. Cessnock is facing similar challenges and remains in Community Cup after two successive premierships. Cardiff’s placement raises eyebrows after not even making the grand final, and Wallsend-Maryland — a side full of juniors who were being mercy-ruled last year — us now expected to compete at a higher level.

That’s not development. That’s damage.

Hinton don’t make much more sense. One week they’re underwhelming against a second-string Stockton side that won’t resemble its round one outfit — the next they’re putting a score on Karuah.

Yet they land in the Plate, despite having a roster that could push top two in Community Cup. And the players in their roster have far more capability than the Tigers or Cardiff (no disrespect to those clubs).

There’s consistency . Consistently poor decisions. There’s no clear framework. And there’s certainly no accountability as the decision-makers are out of reach of clubs. 

And, here’s the part that should concern everyone — we’ve already seen how this ends.

Waratah was getting beaten by 50 week after week to start last season. No regrade. No correction. No urgency. Just silence. Then action in week six… when it was clear to everyone they didn’t belong there.

Now we’re watching the same conditions being recreated in real time.

Those who don’t learn from history are doomed to repeat it — and right now, the women’s game is heading straight back down that road. The wheels are spinning but we are going nowhere, actually we are going backwards.

Rugby league isn’t played on spreadsheets. It’s played by real players who deserve a fair, competitive environment — not one shaped by indecision, politics and guesswork.

At some point, someone needs to stop talking about “growth” and start taking responsibility for the product being put on the field.

Go out and actually watch the games please.

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