History will remember this one.

For nearly two seasons, the Maitland Pickers have stood like an unmovable mountain atop the women’s game — the measuring stick everyone else has chased.

However, on Saturday 6 September, that fortress crumbled.

In front of a stunned crowd at Maitland No. 1 Sportsground, the Northern Hawks pulled off what will go down as the biggest upset in the history of women’s rugby league, toppling the seemingly invincible Pickers 18-12 in a result that has shaken the competition to its core.

The Port Stephens outfit didn’t just win — they believed.

They stared down the reigning premiers and out-fought them in every department, booking themselves a golden ticket straight into the Milleen Group decider and rewriting what everyone thought was possible.

But, controversy ensued after the Newcastle Weekly was sent footage from several disgruntled supporters of knock-ons, forward passes and incorrect play-the-balls that were somehow not picked up by the match officials.

The referees were booed from the field by the large home crowd at full-time.

When quizzed by the NW, Maitland coach Russell Griggs wouldn’t be drawn into the debate.

“We are only interested in solutions from here on in,” he said.

“We’ll get ready for next week and full credit to the Hawks girls — they were better on the day.”

Maitland looked to be cruising in the opening period, taking a 12-0 lead into the break with the exclamation point being a 50-metre try to captain Brooke Carter.

However, the momentum shift came when the Hawks scored off a Pickers’ error, capitalised on by Kyana Patten to make it 12-6.

And, when Patten put Alana Bednar over with 12 minutes remaining, the Northern side just grew another leg, and the self-belief was evident in every tackle and carry.

When Bednar finished a movement off the back of a kick to make it 14-12, all of a sudden it was the Pickers deep in the pressure cycle.

Then, two minutes from full-time, Brandi Davis Welsh delivered the killer blow with a beautiful cut-out pass to Lacey Mitchell to seal it 18-12.

Chaos ensued as some over-enthusiastic revelries had players celebrating on top of Madison Marmion.

But, the result was sealed and, unbelievably, the Northern Hawks — coming from second-last place mid-season in their inaugural campaign — are the first team through to the 2025 Milleen Group Women’s Premiership grand final.

CENTRAL DEMOLISHES RIVALS IN ANOTHER BOMBSHELL RESULT

As if Saturday wasn’t wild enough, Sunday delivered more mayhem.

Central Newcastle didn’t just beat arch-rivals Lakes United — they dismantled them.

In a performance dripping with passion and venom, the Butcher Girls stormed to a 30-10 victory at Morry Breen Oval, leaving the Seagulls shell-shocked and their season in ruins.

It was the worst finals performance in Lakes United’s women’s football history since… unfortunately, the previous week.

For the Butcher Girls, it wasn’t just a win; it was a statement.

The type of victory that echoes through group chats and rattles long-held assumptions about who belongs on the game’s biggest stage.

Saxby Shaw, who was outstanding in dismantling Souths in the final round of the competition, was granted an exemption by the Women’s Participation Committee after just one appearance.

She was outstanding for Central.

Ella Caban grabbed a casual hat-trick of tries and captain Monica Morris was back to her best, playing a starring role in the middle.

The Butcher Girls have been battle-hardened by a period of playing with a limited roster but are now healthy at the right time and face a wounded Pickers outfit.

It will be their biggest test to date, but as it stands, the football gods are smiling upon them.

WIN OR DIE: THE PATH TO GLORY

And now, the stage is set for a sudden-death showdown that feels more like destiny than sport.

Central Newcastle will collide with Maitland in a clash dripping with storyline and stakes.

For Maitland, it’s about redemption and proving its dynasty isn’t dead yet — it’s just rebooting.

For the Butcher Girls, it’s about seizing the moment and shocking the rugby league world all over again.

The winner will earn the right to face the Hawks in the decider — and the chance to write their name into history.

SHARKS SMASH SEAGULLS TO MARCH INTO COMMUNITY CUP GRAND FINAL

At the end of the regular season, a prediction was made by this writer that Stockton would be in the Community Cup grand final.

It was an intuition pick — not born out of hours on Hudl or statistical analysis, but out of personality profile and connection.

And, Stockton was by far the best-connected side on Saturday — defensively, interpersonally and with their community.

In a clash dripping with tension and dropped ball, the Sharks delivered a performance for the ages, storming past Lakes United 20-14 to book their ticket to the 2025 Women’s Community Cup decider at Raymond Terrace.

Under the morning sun at Lakeside Sporting Complex, Stockton didn’t just win — they conquered.

Lakes United, a proud club with a previously decorated history, threw everything at them, but the Sharks’ resilience was unbreakable.

The Seagulls have now become an afterthought after going out the back door in two competitions.

With the game on the line and the clock ticking down, Stockton’s defence became unshaken, swatting away Lakes’ last-ditch raids and a late try before striking the killer blow that silenced the rivals’ faithful.

The showdown was marred by a referee call where the videographer has a Stockton player being called held, before being allowed to continue and score what turned out to be a crucial six points.

But, regardless, Lakes United was out-competed on the day.

The moment the final siren sounded, the field erupted — Stockton’s players elated in hugs and fist pumps, while their fans roared like a tidal wave.

Somebody must have been left behind at the Boat Rowers Hotel to man the bar, as the rest of the town was at the football.

From the very first tackle to the final whistle, this was community rugby league at its raw, beautiful best.

Leah Nowlan was a standout for the Sharks with her work rate, while Emjay Walters had the goal-kicking on point.

Now, Stockton rides a wave of momentum straight into the decider, where Cessnock awaits.

It’s a dream grand final match-up — two battle-hardened teams ready to throw everything on the line for glory.

BANDITS STRIKE GOLD – GRAND FINAL AWAITS!

September football is all about seizing the moment — and Nelson Bay did exactly that.

With their season on the line, the Bandits outlasted a determined Cardiff outfit 18-8 in a bruising preliminary final at Lakeside Sporting Complex.

Every tackle, every metre gained felt like a battle, and for much of the match, the result hung in the balance.

Cardiff came out swinging, rattling Nelson Bay early and threatening to pull off an upset.

But, when the pressure rose, the Bandits showed their steel.

Their defence turned savage, their attack became ruthless, and with the game slipping away, they slammed the door shut on Cardiff’s dreams.

The Cobras seemed drained from their 100-minute epic major semi-final against the Panthers, and the fatigue showed as the Bandits looked like a much fitter side.

Now, the prize is clear.

Nelson Bay advances to the Women’s Community Plate grand final, where they will face a fresh and formidable Mallabula side.

One final showdown, one last chance to etch their name into history.

With two clubs in their infancy, only one can walk away with the spoils of victory.

It’s glory or heartbreak.

NEWCASTLE WEEKLY HEAT CHECK 

WHAT’S HOT

• Amy Dufour winning the players’ player award at the NEWRL awards, the highest honour from her peers particularly doing it from a side that registered only five wins this season, such is the respect she has among her opponents 
• Terri Van Wyk judged as player of the year, in a season disrupted by injury. She will be instrumental should the Pickers contest their second consecutive grand final
• The Northern Hawks, they aren’t hot they are red-hot
• Brooke Carter’s try in the major semi, what an athlete 
• Sparra Clifton making the Goanna girls do the King Edward Park special on Saturday, prior to attending the preliminary final. No big celebrations when they qualified for the grand final, the veteran mentor knows they haven’t won anything yet 

WHAT’S NOT

• Lakes United out the back door in both grades, player unrest is building and accountability is on its way 
• Cardiff’s end to the season in Community Plate, after winning the minor premiership they are bundled out in a shock back-to-back losses
• The parking situation for Saturday at Lakeside. Perhaps, park there Friday morning
• The women’s sides being forced into junior facilities 500m away from the oval at Morry Breen on Sunday. Another dose of equality served up
• Sophie Anderson out of the grand final for Stockton, after carrying the side on her back for the majority of 2025, she will be a huge loss

NEWRL PLAY-OFFS

Preliminary final

Sunday 14 September

Kurri Kurri Sportsground

• 10am: Under-19s – Western Suburbs v Northern Hawks
• 11.30m: Reserve Grade – Lakes United v South Newcastle
• 1.15pm: Milleen Group Women’s Premiership – Maitland v Central Newcastle
• 3pm: Denton Engineering Cup – Cessnock v Western Suburbs

For more sports stories:

• GALLERY… Best of the best to tackle 2025 NHRL grand finals
• ‘No regrets’ as Brown prepares to join wooden spooners
• GALLERY… Pickers charge to fourth consecutive NEWRL crown

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