It’s the showdown everyone’s been waiting for all season.

When the South Newcastle Lions host long-time rivals Maitland Pickers to celebrate the club’s biggest event of the year, Sleapy’s Day.

While 3,000 people flocked to Townson Oval in 2023, to see the visitors prevail 24-10, that record is set to fall by the wayside on Saturday 10 August with Tooheys Newcastle Rugby League (NEWRL) opting to make the clash a stand-alone fixture.

But, for Souths skipper Ryan Glanville, there are more important things at stake.

He’s hoping for a better result this time around.

“Obviously, it would be nice to avenge last season’s loss,” he said.

“In fact, we didn’t beat Maitland at all in 2023, so we’re definitely keen to get one back.

“Being beaten by them on Sleapy’s Day was disappointing, then being beaten by them in the grand final was disappointing.

“So, there is a lot of ammo for the boys to show what we’re capable of.

“The Pickers have been the team to beat for the past four years.

“So, anytime you can knock them over it puts you in good stead and you sort of grow another leg.

“However, we’ve just got to be ready for what they’re going to bring.

“I know Sleapy (Peter Sleap) believes 2024 is our year… fingers crossed we can live up to the hype.”

Adding to the mouth-watering spectacle are the performances of both combatants in the 2024 Denton Engineering Cup.

Maitland sits atop the ladder on 25 points, one ahead of Souths.

Each enters the contest in sizzling form, with the Pickers thrashing the Macquarie Scorpions 50-0 and the Lions hammering the Kurri Kurri Bulldogs 56-8.

“We’re all looking forward to it,” Glanville said.

“It’s almost an identical situation to last season.

“Both sides seem to be going really well and whoever wins will be on top of the table… that’s a great incentive.

“Then you take into account it’s Sleapy’s Day as well.

“That means a lot to Souths, the event is always pencilled in on the calendar early.

“To their credit, Maitland’s jumped on board, too, and it’s just turned into a huge occasion now.

“And, with NEWRL making it a split round, I have a feeling it’s going to be massive this weekend.”

Glanville first laced up the boots on Sleapy’s Day in 2015.

But, his passion for the charity hasn’t diminished in any way.

“Yeah, it’s been a while,” he told the Newcastle Weekly.

“I don’t believe the day is any more important than it was back then.

“Sleapy still delivers the foundation’s message really well.

“I just think the occasion’s probably gotten bigger with how many people are around and how many support the cause.

“So, it’s important to manage the emotions.

“You know, Sleapy gets a few people in the sheds.

“They present the jerseys and it’s really emotional there.

“However, like I said, we’ve got 80 minutes of footy to play… and that’s our job.

“It’s pretty small compared to what people [with cancer] go through.

“So, we’re just happy to play our part.”

As for the season proper, Glanville believes the Pickers will offer the Lions a stern litmus test leading into the semis.

“We’re travelling okay so far,” he said.

“When you’re sitting up the top, you’re always happy.

“But, there are things we can definitely improve on.

“We’re still searching for that 80-minute effort.

“To do that against Maitland would be good.

“We enjoyed a similar run last year, where we played those top sides towards the back end of the season.

“We’ve got the Pickers, the Rosellas and the Goannas to finish the campaign, as well as the Hawks.

“They’re all tough matches, however it will put us in good stead.”

Glanville also took the opportunity to praise new halves partner Sam Clune, who joined Souths from Cessnock.

“I played against him a bit and with him in the rep squad,” he said.

“So, to be playing with Cluney week-in, week-out has been great.

“He’s terrific for the club.

“Sam’s jumped on board with everything we do [here].”

The women’s encounter starts proceedings from 10.15am, with the under-19s at 11.45am, reserves at 1.05pm and the feature bout from 3pm.

For more sports stories:

• NEWRL: Founder expects another ‘cracking’ Sleapy’s Day showdown
• $2.6 million sports amenities building on the ball at Medowie 
• Sydney Kings bouncing into the Hunter

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