Some people leave footprints on a football field. Others leave them on the people around them.

Hayden Moth, or “Mothy” as he was known to many, did both.

He was the teammate who never stopped asking questions, eager to learn and desperate to improve.

He was the mate who would do anything for those beside him and the type of person whose six-foot-plus presence made every club stronger simply by being there.

His infectious personality, willingness to laugh at himself and unwavering loyalty left an imprint that time has never erased.

This weekend, when Lakes United and Maitland run out to contest the Hayden Moth Shield, they won’t simply be vying for a trophy.

They’ll be playing in honour of a young man whose memory continues to inspire everyone fortunate enough to have known him, reminding the rugby league community that while a life can be cut tragically short, a legacy built on courage, friendship, love for the game and love for those around him can live on forever.

Pickers coach Matt Lantry is treating the round 13 Denton Engineering Cup clash on Saturday 11 July at Maitland Sportsground as a significant moment in his side’s 2026 campaign.

“We’re very grateful for the opportunity to play for the Hayden Moth Shield,” he said.

“He was part of our Sleapy’s Day campaign in 2024, where he courageously shared his battle with an aggressive brain tumour.

“His story left a lasting impact on everyone at our club.

“To be able to honour Hayden by taking on Lakes in the Hayden Moth Shield is something we’re incredibly proud to do.

“We are looking forward to giving our all and doing our best to retain the trophy.

“This fixture remains one that we circle on the draw as soon as it’s released.”

Out at Belmont, Seagulls football manager Brendan Walsh echoed Lantry’s sentiments.

“Lakes United is honoured to play in this game each season,” he said.

“Mothy played both his junior and senior football at Lakes and won premierships with the club.

“Some of his teammates and football staff are still involved at Lakes today.

“To watch Hayden and his family go through his cancer battle was incredible and inspiring.

“Even on the most extraordinarily difficult days, he would occasionally be at Cahill Oval watching his mates, or his sisters, who both had stints at Lakes and Windale.

“It’s an honour and a privilege for Lakes as a club to play for a shield that carries his name.”

The Seagulls face a huge challenge this week as they sit in fifth position on 11 competition points, with the Hawks, Tigers and Western Suburbs all nipping at their heels in the race for a finals berth in what is arguably the most congested competition ladder since the NEWRL’s inception in 1910.

A win for Lakes, however, could see them climb as high as third should results elsewhere fall their way.

The Seagulls have arguably never been in a better position in recent years to put Maitland to the sword given their electric football through the middle part of the season.

The Pickers, meanwhile, will be looking to build momentum heading into Sleapy’s Day with a big performance at home, particularly given they haven’t played at Maitland Sportsground for almost a month.

Saturday also marks the Maitland club’s inaugural Indigenous Day fixture, Ladies Day and utility James Bradley’s 100th first grade appearance, ensuring there will be no shortage of motivation for the home side.

IN OTHER MATCHES

Western Suburbs travels to Cessnock to take on the Goannas, with Wests sitting just one point outside the top five and their rivals two adrift, albeit with a game in hand.

Steve Dengate has been named to start at halfback and was good without being spectacular last week.

But, he’ll face a completely different challenge defensively against a big, physical Cessnock pack that will no doubt target him throughout the afternoon.

Wests possess enormous class across their backline, and the expectation is Tyrone Nean will rediscover the form that made him one of the competition’s premier centres last season.

He’s a difficult assignment for any defender.

Cessnock boasts the homeground advantage, but Adam Bettridge generally has a few tricks up his sleeve – and probably a few down his jeans as well.

This shapes as the match of the round.

At Lyall Peacock Oval, Macquarie hosts the Bulldogs, with both sides coming off confidence-boosting victories last weekend.

For the Scorpions, the season is mathematically over.

For Kurri, every competition point is precious if they’re to produce a fairytale run into the finals after such a slow start to the year.

On paper, this has Kurri written all over it but expect it to be much closer than many predict in what should develop into a genuine arm wrestle at Toronto.

On Sunday at Raymond Terrace, the Hawks welcome The Entrance Tigers.

The Tigers appear to be turning a corner after accounting for Central, pushing Maitland to the brink and then producing a solid win over Cessnock.

The Hawks were disappointing against Maitland last weekend and will expect a much better performance.

Having edged out the Tigers by two points back in round eight at EDSAAC Oval, this shapes as a genuine toss of the coin.

Both teams have struggled for consistency, producing impressive wins one week before following them up with disappointing losses the next in what has been a rollercoaster season for both clubs.

On Sunday at Townson Oval, South Newcastle prepares for the first of two consecutive home games as the Butcher Boys make the short trip to sunny Merewether.

Central was ambushed last week at Lyall Peacock Oval and has now lost two straight, with their longest losing streak this season standing at three matches.

Souths were beaten by Western Suburbs in a hard-fought contest and will be desperate to respond ahead of next week’s blockbuster Sleapy’s Day clash against the reigning premiers on arguably the biggest regular-season day on the NEWRL calendar.

Whether it’s a classy attacking display from the Lions or another blue-collar strangulation job from Lucas Miller’s Butcher Boys, this contest has all the makings of a semi-final.

All-in-all, another outstanding weekend of Newcastle Rugby League awaits as every club continues searching for the final pieces of the puzzle that could lead to a September finals appearance in one of NSW’s premier domestic competitions.

For more sports stories:

• Knights enforcer Saifiti set for lengthy stint on sidelines
• Bulldogs bite their way into third to stun Lakes
• Knights to support Jai Arrow at world’s biggest birthday party

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