In a competition built on toughness, pride and week-to-week consistency, there’s no higher compliment than respect from your peers.

As voted by the players themselves through the NEWRL podcast LeagueCastle, the Denton Engineering Cup’s Top 25 list has been revealed — offering a rare insight into who is genuinely feared, admired and valued on Newcastle rugby league’s biggest stage.

The poll was conducted via LeagueCastle’s social media platforms and hosted by long-time commentator Chris McPherson, alongside Josh “the Statsman” Spigelman, with current Denton Engineering Cup players voting on the individuals they believe are setting the benchmark.

Importantly, this list isn’t driven by reputation alone.

It reflects week-to-week impact — the players opponents prepare for, the ones coaches game-plan around, and the names that consistently come up in post-match reviews both on the podcast, in the grandstand and in depth each and every week in the Newcastle Weekly.

Unlike competition-driven rankings that see players picked in Team of the Year sides out of position or pure statistical leaderboards (sorry Statsman), this Top 25 is shaped by those lacing them up in the roughest domestic competition in Australia.

They were asked to judge their opponents rather than players from their own club, and while sometimes mateship influences rankings, this is a somewhat broad picture of how the guys see each other and their game on the other side of the stripe.

The result is a list that balances some marquee names with genuine competition performers — including leaders, workhorses, game-breakers and quiet achievers whose value isn’t always reflected on a stat sheet.

There are some notables also missing.

NEWRL’s resident stats guru Spigelman took the Newcastle Weekly through the nomination and selection process.

“We designed the concept to ensure fairness and genuine peer recognition,” he said.

“We had participating players submit a personal Top 10 list, with the stipulation that they could not vote for teammates from their own club, and we made the decision to exclude Wyong players following the club’s departure from the Denton Engineering Cup competition.

“Votes were weighted on a points system — 10 for a first-choice selection, nine for second, eight for third and so on — before being collated into an overall ranking.

“In total, 81 different players were nominated across 80 submitted Top 10 lists, with the final Top 25 emerging purely from cumulative points, therefore making it a marker of peer respect across the Denton Engineering Cup.”

THE BREAKDOWN

BY CLUB

Reigning premiers Maitland had the most players picked with six making the list, followed by Western Suburbs (5), South Newcastle (4), grand finalists Cessnock (3), with The Entrance and Kurri providing two players each, and Lakes United and Central Newcastle one apiece to round out the 25.

BY POSITION

Fifteen players in the Top 25 were made up of spine members, with fullback being the most hotly-contested spot with four superstars at the back. In the non-spine positions, four centres made the cut, with 14 of the 25 being forwards, reinstating the old adage that the pigs lay the platform both in attack and defensive resolve in the strongest semi-professional competition in NSW.

LEAGUECASTLE NEWRL TOP 25 FOR SEASON BEGINNING 2026

25. Jake Goodwin (Western Suburbs)

Wests’ tall timber up front, his greatest attribute is his consistency and ability to break first contact. He will be a foundation pillar as the Rosellas look to return to their first Grand Final since their 2019 triumph.

24. James Bradley (Maitland Pickers)

Does it all as a winger, but it’s through the middle third in the back row, with his footwork and leg speed, where he provided a never-seen-before dimension to the Pickers’ attack in 2025 in a coaching masterstroke from Matt Lantry.

23. Reeve Howard (South Newcastle)

Reeve was consistent last season, but with new signings such as James Taylor and Lachie Fitzgibbon set to pull on the Red V, Howard will have more space for his electric running game. Expect to see him in Player of the Year voting.

22. Brendan O’Hagan (Entrance Tigers)

Great 3-in defender, good organiser, high-energy communicator, but has learnt to play patiently in the last 12 months. Most effective when paired with Newman at 7 and Pellow at the back. The Tigers are at their best when he is looking for opportunities on either edge.

21. James Taylor (South Newcastle)

Jimmy Taylor’s season in 2025 was thwarted by injury and he managed a very low number of games for the Hawks after wrapping up his previous Maitland stint with another premiership medal. He’s so highly-revered in the game that despite a limited showing in 2025, he’s still classified as one of the best middles in the NEWRL.

20. Cameron Anderson (Central Newcastle)

A Butcher Boy to his core, the Central custodian is a tough defensive assignment at fullback, as he can pop up on either edge in shape and has a great trail game through the middle. His length and agility make him almost unstoppable, and he’s difficult to manage in aerial contests as he is so well positioned and has the height to boot. On his day, he’s a top-five player in this competition.

19. Liam Wilkinson (Western Suburbs)

In a competition filled with premier hookers, Wilkinson is the most slept on. He executes all facets of his game to be an 8/10 performer every week, and there lies his consistency, which he is so renowned for. He will have a dream pack to work with this season and is working with a great halves pairing that will help him identify opportunities.

18. Kevin Naiqama (Western Suburbs)

Feet, acceleration, attacking IQ and a great fend to boot, “Kev” is like a high-end sports car — powerful engine, sleek body — and he turns heads (and shoulders) of opponents all over the competition. A tough assignment because he widens his shape at the play-the-ball, so you can be caught ruck-watching on a short side.

17. Reid Alchin (Kurri Kurri)

Reid is such a powerful runner on the edge that you can’t really pick your poison, as he can hurt you physically in contact with ball in hand just as much as he can in defence. He wins the ruck off every play-the-ball and allows the Dogs to play that left-hand channel, which is nightmare fuel for every 7 in the competition.

16. Sam Clune (Western Suburbs)

The key to Clune’s game isn’t based on the level of involvement but the quality of his touches. He orchestrated many victories last season with the Rosellas and is playing with patience and resolve. His harshest assessments seem to be left to himself, and he is always looking to find improvement in his touches or kicking game while elevating those around him. A class act.

15. Tyrone Nean (Western Suburbs)

Adam Bettridge has referred to this man on the record on numerous occasions as “the best centre in the comp, hands down”. While some may argue that point, you can’t ignore the impact he has had for Central in the last two seasons. 2026 is set to be his biggest season yet now that he is playing with an all-star cast. A huge coup for the Rosellas securing his signature.

14. Lewis Young (Cessnock)

The man played a huge role in their winning streak and is so dangerous with the football, particularly when he gets short late ball from Angus Ernst. Will look to go to another level if Cessnock are to be there on grand final day.

13. Mitch Black (South Newcastle)

The new arrivals at South will only elevate the game of Mitch Black, with the creative rake ready to pull all the tricks out of the hat off some renewed go-forward for the Red V from Merewether. If you’re a junior hooker looking to learn the craft, you would do much better than watching this man.

12. Sam Anderson (Maitland Pickers)

Leadership personified and possibly the most tenacious forward in the game. He does all the little things — marker tie-in, kick pressure, inside push support — and doubles up as a bodyguard for Lamb and O’Donnell. His post-contact work and ability to find position in the play-the-ball are outstanding, and he maintains the intimidation factor he is famous for. Should really be higher on the list.

11. Jack Stringer (Kurri Kurri)

Stringer not only helped show the Bulldogs what a marquee forward looks like, he also showed them how to win. Can cover all three forward roles and is absolutely key to the Bulldogs’ rise back into relevance. Possibly should have played at a higher level.

10. Lachie O’Brien (Western Suburbs)

A big coup for the Rosellas picking up a great leader, especially one who leads by actions. O’Brien was instrumental in the success of Central Newcastle’s 2024 run to the grand final and now looks to go one better in a different jersey. Very few, if any, weak points in his game, and he’s a doer — not a talker.

9. Ryan Glanville (South Newcastle)

What happens when you combine a player who has the size and physicality of an elite back-rower with the footy IQ and hands of a playmaking general? You get RG. Last season the Lions’ finals fortunes seemed to sit on this one man. This season the cavalry has arrived to deliver the missing pieces. It’s certainly not out of the realms of possibility to see the Souths junior on stage at McDonald Jones Stadium receiving the Denton Engineering Cup trophy.

8. Sione Mata’utia (Lakes United)

Lakes United’s gun for hire. If you’re playing opposite Mata’utia on the edge, be sure to take out private health cover. Mata’utia provided some show-stopping highlights in an otherwise bleak season for the Seagulls, but he was worth every cent the club paid him. Sione will look to take a greater lead in 2026 in an attempt to lift the Seagulls back into finals contention.

7. Brayden Musgrove (Cessnock)

Unsure if Musgrove is prepping for an action film or a NEWRL pre-season, but he looks genetically engineered to dominate on the rugby league field. Near impossible to defend in single coverage due to his size and power, and that close-arm fend that should require a concealed carry permit. Get the man early ball pre-line and watch the opportunities be created off the back of him.

6. Chad O’Donnell (Maitland Pickers)

The most accurate aerial kicker in the competition. An accurate goal kicker and one of the best passing games in the competition. If the game is on the line for the Pickers, it’s normally O’Donnell who wants the football in his hands — because that’s what winners do. Predicting 2026 to eclipse his best individual year to date. I hope Peter Jolly can handle it!

5. Jayden Butterfield (Maitland Pickers)

If you’re running into dual and sometimes triple contact in the middle of a game, making 13 metres per carry — with seven metres post-contact — finding your front every tackle, getting quick play-the-balls and getting through a mountain of work in defence, it means your name is Jayden Butterfield. Nothing flash, all function, and he’d be the first guy picked every week at any club. The best prop in the game — no contest.

4. Luke Huth (Cessnock Goannas)

Huth has so much deception in his game some are convinced he could escape from Cessnock Jail unseen. The best number 9 in the game and sits a level above his rival hookers. Always fit, highly intelligent and the most competitive player on the park each week. You can’t teach what he brings to a side. A driven individual.

3. Matt Soper Lawler (Maitland Pickers)

How did this guy not play NRL? The most well-rounded player in the competition and almost unstoppable in the air at times — so much so that air traffic control has called the club and asked him to leave the airspace he gets up that high. Prepares professionally and is among the premiers’ top performers every time he laces the boots up.

2. Brock Lamb (Maitland Pickers)

The best general play kicker in the NEWRL. In attack he plays so direct in the line where he can play short to Lincoln Smith, out the back to Langbridge, and then has Sam Anderson trailing inside off his hip, and each and every time he seems to make the right call in his pass selection. What’s frightening for opponents is he did this in 2025 with half a rib cage. A fully fit Brock Lamb is a headache for opposition coaches.

1. Tony Pellow (Entrance Tigers)

TP1 — voted by his peers as the best player in the competition. And when you look at the list above, that is high praise. Pellow is beyond doubt the most talented and eclectic ball-runner in the game. The Tigers really struggled in his absence last season through injury, and the premiership window is well and truly open for The Entrance. One of the great things about Tony is that he will struggle with this award because he is a humble champion. Looking forward to seeing what he brings in 2026.

THE HIDDEN GEMS

Here is my list of the players their peers aren’t thinking about but should be.

NORTHERN HAWKS

Ethan Campbell is possibly one of the best competitors in the game — tough, reliable and highly effective. Pair him with the improving Connor Cromarty and Hawks fans are left with some forward foundation to build from.

MACQUARIE SCORPIONS

Malik Deyaolu — Mr Consistency for the Scorpions, and not to forget Luke Walsh — age shall not weary them.

LAKES UNITED

Nick Glohe is a proven commodity defensively with an outstanding tackle effectiveness ratio, as well as being a great leader. Ryan Potts remains one of the most elusive runners in the competition with his lines and cadence as a running six. It’s hard to defend a guy with limited predictable tendencies and a high attacking IQ.

SOUTH NEWCASTLE

How can you not get around Jack Welsh? But, the real sleeper here is Justin Afflick. Watch the game as an analyst, take off your supporter’s hat and look at his first contact into takedown and his inside coverage. He was outstanding last season up against some marquee players and is one of the most underrated players in the NEWRL.

KURRI KURRI BULLDOGS

Jack Tamburini — aggressive, uncompromising and the embodiment of Kurri Kurri Bulldogs DNA. Extra points for the red hair. Throw Brae Verhayen into the mix and you can see why Kurri are on the cusp of an early 1990s revival.

CENTRAL NEWCASTLE

Harry Reid in the 9 jumper may just be the man to unlock the jersey at Central and play with width in a small-ball style that could trouble some sides. Very exciting to see what the regime under Lucas Miller delivers.

THE ENTRANCE

Umm, Nick Newman? Hello! Possibly the most professional player in the competition. Pair him up with Daniel Peck, off the back of other great players like TP, and the Tigers look a solid top-three side.

WESTERN SUBURBS

The heir to the throne, Aiden Storrie. He will be one of the most talked-about players in the competition in 2026 under Adam Bettridge, one of the great attack coaches in his own right.

CESSNOCK

Sam Apthorpe. If you don’t put the brakes on him, you’re in for a long afternoon, as he is a momentum monster. When he gets quick play-the-balls with Huthy steering, the Goannas can kill teams through the middle channel.

MAITLAND

Jake Lewis, Luke Knight, but the one who grew out of the shadows in 2026 was Harry Spruce, taking over the nine jersey from the great Alex Langbridge. Now that he’s had a year behind the desk, I predict his confidence will grow and we will see an even better showing this season.

Whatever season 2026 brings, we know it’s going to be epic.

To hear all the action and viewpoints from Chris and the team, follow @leaguecastle on Instagram, with episodes dropping weekly in season.

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