Sharks hot favourites for Community Cup

The 2026 Community Cup women’s rugby league competition gets underway this weekend.

And, while it may sit outside the spotlight of the top tier, there’s no shortage of intrigue heading into round one.

This grade has become a genuine entertainment spectacle across the region — a mix of emerging talent, returning players and clubs looking to build to Premiership level one day in the future.

Pre-season form has been varied, squads are still taking shape, and that unpredictability only adds to the appeal.

Every side will believe they’re a chance to make a statement straight out of the gates.

The Community Cup shapes as a wide-open contest, with at least one organisation using the division as a launchpad for promotion while still keeping one eye on results.

In 2026, it promises a more hardened edge, with teams pushing for consistency and looking to separate themselves as genuine contenders, while others who have been incorrectly graded may just be battling for survival.

Round one always brings a level of unknown — combinations still forming, roles still settling — but that’s what makes it compelling.

New faces, fresh starts and a competition where anything can happen.

Strap in — it’s game on. For some, they dream of that magical Saturday in September.

Let’s check out the combatants.

CESSNOCK GOANNAS

2025 FINISH – PREMIERS
STRENGTHS: A younger squad with plenty of tomorrow’s stars and some promising new recruits to defend their hard-earned title from last season. Coach Warbo has been there and done it before at this level.
WEAKNESSES: Depth will be the biggest issue for this squad. After a small loss of experienced players and an array of juniors set to make their debut, they may take a few weeks to find their feet in the early stages.
X-FACTOR: Ebony Oakley has landed at Cessnock after carefully considering a few clubs. She may be the difference-maker for Cessnock.
TD’S TAKE: Really enjoyed watching this side last season. They now know well and truly what success looks like, but with the loss of some key players and some younger girls still to mature, it’s why they elected to stay in Community Cup in 2026.
PREDICTION: I think Cessnock can make the five, but given the player turnover, it’s hard to see a run that goes deep into the finals.

STOCKTON SHARKS

2025 FINISH: Runners up
STRENGTHS: The 1, 6, 7 combination – of Emjay Walters, Chelsea Bolton and Sophie Anderson – was critical last season. They will remain the platform upon which this side builds its success. A very good recruitment drive and player retention have made this roster even more competitive than 2025.
WEAKNESSES: While defensively strong in the middle, their edge defence and first catch on kick defusal were concerns at times. They will need to have shored that up in the off-season.
X-FACTOR: Sophie Anderson. No explanation needed. Also excited to see what Jess Thew brings to the side in this roster space. Also, their travelling crowd is good for two penalties a half.
TD’S TAKE: Girls with previous first-grade experience mixed with some great Cup players in a fun environment who had the final page of their fairytale story ripped out by Cessnock last season. With that calculation in mind, my bold take is that Stockton will lift the Community Cup in September in what will be a very tight race. Attitude and ability will get them there; mateship is what will bring the dream to fruition. This is their premiership window.

LAKES UNITED SEAGULLS

2025 FINISH: Minor premiers
STRENGTHS: Youth, speed and football IQ. The Seagulls will likely have the best education from a knowledge standpoint with Bomber Jones, Greg Hayes, Troy Potts and Richard Swain all chiming in to create the Lakes United system. Lauris Donovan has also joined the staff in 2026, so standards will be enforced in her unique style.
WEAKNESSES: Lakes were on the borderline a week from kick-off of even fielding a side in this competition. Lack of continuity early could potentially be a theme.
X-FACTOR: The Lakes juniors coming through from the under-18s. Write down this name — Addie Tallon. A player of the future.
TD’S TAKE: I’m thinking Top 4. Premiership football remains the focus, and the community squad has suffered significantly over the past few seasons due to the player drain from the grade above. How they manage this remains to be seen — but if they field 19 each week, they will play September football.

WEST WALLSEND MAGPIES

2025 FINISH: 4th
STRENGTHS: A developing side with some handy new additions in the middle sees Westy as a force to be reckoned with. Phil Hure is one of the leading female coaches in the region whose impact can’t be negated.
WEAKNESSES: Depth in key positions was a significant concern last season. Handling sides with good leg speed was the other.
X-FACTOR: Their forward pack — potentially the best middle-third side in the competition now if they are all fit and available.
TD’S TAKE: Top 4. Westy are very capable of making a grand final run. They will need to stay healthy and execute more consistently than in the previous season. They have all the ingredients for a successful run. They have the right person at the wheel — they just need to get the reps in.

CARDIFF COBRAS

2025 FINISH: 3rd (Plate)
STRENGTHS: Size and power — possibly one of the biggest sides in the competition from a physicality standpoint. They can knock down the front door as well as anyone. A very physical side in the ruck. There is no more experienced coach than Tommy Trow, who has long had a track record of getting sides to perform above their potential.
WEAKNESSES: Discipline — they concede far too many penalties for the Cup competition and will need to improve in this area.
X-FACTOR: The entire Cardiff Cobras club are marking this season in memoriam of stalwart Steve Janissen, who passed away in early October 2025. There is no doubt that “Jano” will be spurring the ladies on from above.
TD’S TAKE: (Miss finals) Very surprising grading from the NSWRL, especially taking into account how many competition points were collected off the back of forfeits last season. I think the Cobras can be effective, but with 14 rounds against the likes of Lakes and Stockton, it’s a big ask.

WALLSEND MARYLAND TIGERS

2025 FINISH: Debut season
STRENGTHS: A young, willing side of women who enjoy their football. Experienced coach and supportive committee.
WEAKNESSES: Lack of size, fundamental skill sets, and lack of high-level experience.
X-FACTOR: The Women’s Competition Committee, in conjunction with NSWRL, regrading them into Plate.
TD’S TAKE: (Spoon) I’ve been out to watch this side train and what a wonderful group of ladies they are. They are a clear victim of a system built on spreadsheets, not scouting — no offence intended. Hopefully, common sense reigns supreme here.

NELSON BAY BANDITS

2025 FINISH: Premiers (Plate)
STRENGTHS: Enthusiastic, effort-based side who are well-coached within their system.
WEAKNESSES: Depth and their geographical location is certainly a challenge in regard to recruitment.
X-FACTOR: This side showed last season it can stack wins against more highly fancied opponents. Nobody outside their four walls tipped them to win the Plate in their inaugural season — but win they did. That level of self-belief is galvanising.
TD’S TAKE: Miss finals. Despite winning the premiership, their promotion may be premature. This season will test whether they can bridge the gap between Plate and Community Cup. If they adjust, there’s hope — if not, survival becomes the focus.

DUDLEY MAGPIES

2025 FINISH: 7th
STRENGTHS: Aggressive approach and a well-assembled roster this season in comparison to 2025.
WEAKNESSES: Dudley statistically had the second-worst attack in the league last season behind wooden spooners Macquarie. Keeping in mind they forfeited a number of matches early, so it may be a skewed statistic. Nevertheless, they will need to improve with the football, and a change in coach has facilitated that by early reports.
X-FACTOR: Billy Coffey — a defensive technical expert who has worked with high-level athletes at NRL and NRLW level. If he can elevate Dudley’s defensive platform, it may revolutionise the way the game is played at Women’s Community level. Warren Ryan once said the formula for making finals was easy — stop the opposition from scoring tries.
TD’S TAKE: WILDCARD — Stockton was last year’s wildcard and went on a grand final run. There is a distinct possibility that Dudley can do the same.

This Friday night is where it starts.

No reputations matter now, the talking on socials is over— just 60 minutes, every week, to prove who’s real and who’s not.

The Women’s Community Cup isn’t a Instagram shoot — it will now be a battleground. Every metre earned, every tackle felt, every win fought for. Some will rise, some will fall and a few will find out the hard way what it demands.

However, one thing’s guaranteed — by the time September rolls around, this competition won’t look anything like it does today. Buckle up.

Good luck to all sides competing.

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