The regular season is behind us… and September arrives with the intensity dialled all the way up.

Four clubs are taking the field, each carrying very different storylines into the knockout stages of the Milleen Group Women’s Premiership.

The reward is simple: survive this weekend and you stay on course for the title.

Slip up… and dreams end abruptly.

QUALIFYING FINAL

LAKES UNITED SEAGULLS v NORTHERN HAWKS

Cessnock Sportsground – Saturday 30 August, 1.15pm

The Seagulls and Hawks square off in a clash that feels like a classic “styles make fights” encounter.

Lakes United has been consistent all season, except for last weekend’s second-half capitulation at the hands of Maitland, combining a big forward pack with smart organisation in the halves.

Their strength lies in their ball skill and width, wearing opponents down and forcing fast retreat speed.

If they can dictate tempo early, they’ll fancy their chances of booking a path to the major semi-final next week.

Northern Hawks, by contrast, are a side built on momentum and explosive shifts.

They can put on points in quick bursts, often sparked by individual brilliance out wide.

The question is whether their defence can handle the pressure Lakes will pile on for the full 70 minutes.

But, the Hawks have come on in leaps and bounds over the past six weeks and, after disposing of the Seagulls just a few weeks ago in easy fashion at Cahill Oval, they have every right to feel confident going into this one as favourites.

It’s a battle of composure versus control, and whoever settles into their rhythm first may very well take control.

TALKING POINTS

• Seagulls lock Dianne Ghent has been moved back to the interchange for the Seagulls, while prop Ebony Woodcock will not play due to another commitment.

ELIMINATION FINAL

CENTRAL NEWCASTLE BUTCHER GIRLS v SOUTH NEWCASTLE LIONS

Harker Oval – Sunday 31 August, 1.15pm

There’s no safety net here — it’s win or go home.

Central Newcastle has been hot and cold across the campaign but carries big-game experience in its roster.

The Butcher Girls’ ability to roll through the edge and bring strike runners into play will be key, especially if they can turn second-phase play into scoreboard pressure.

As they did last week against the Lionesses, they will blow Souths off the park.

South Newcastle, however, is a side that thrives on emotion and scramble.

They’ve upset bigger names before and won’t shy away from the contest.

If they can stay disciplined defensively and avoid giving Central repeat opportunities, they could control the narrative.

But, if the Butcher Girls defend their shift as well as last week, then it will be out the back door for the Lionesses in 2025.

If Souths start the game well and post two consecutive opening tries, that’s all it may take to move the needle on momentum.

Expect this one to be full of desperation — the kind of elimination final that will test every ounce of resilience.

TALKING POINTS

• The double fixture, playing back-to-back against the same opponent, provides a greater challenge for coaches, which is amplified by semi-final football.
• On the injury front, Sarah Shankley is named for Central but isn’t expected to play, while Ella Buteux is carrying an injury but is expected to suit up in a big boost for the red and whites.

THE ROAD AHEAD

• The winner of the qualifying final (Lakes v Hawks) will progress to the major final, while the loser faces sudden-death next week
• The elimination final (Central v Souths) is simple: win and move on, lose and the season is over

September football has arrived in the elite competition and the Milleen Group Women’s Premiership promises drama, tension and the kind of moments that shape reputations — and regret for players and coaches alike.

2025 WOMEN’S COMMUNITY CUP

It’s crunch time in the Women’s Community Cup and four teams remain in the hunt for September glory.

Lakeside Sporting Complex will host back-to-back play-offs across the weekend, with both fixtures promising plenty of grit, passion and unpredictability.

SEMI-FINAL 1

LAKES UNITED SEAGULLS v CESSNOCK GOANNAS

Lakeside Sporting Complex – Field 1, Saturday 30 August, 10.45am

The Seagulls enter September with quiet confidence and a limited roster, but they have built their season on structure and discipline.

Their strength lies in their backline: they create room and width and have the best strike on the edge.

Lakes thrive when they control tempo and force opponents into long yardage sets.

Cessnock, however, isn’t intimidated.

The Goannas have carried a tough edge all season, with a willingness to get physical and drag teams into the grind.

If they can frustrate Lakes early and turn it into a scrap, Cessnock could spring an upset.

Coach Laurie Clifton thinks that his side will build off last week’s showing and is improving each week.

This one shapes as a classic semi-final arm wrestle — field position, completions and who wins the middle will be decisive.

SEMI-FINAL 2

STOCKTON v WEST WALLSEND

Lakeside Sporting Complex – Field 1, Sunday 31 August, 10.45am

Stockton’s season has been built on defence.

They’ve faced their share of challenges but have found ways to hang in contests and strike late.

Their edge play and ability to turn half-chances into points make them dangerous in a finals’ environment.

It’s not exactly an elite style of attack, stripping numbers on the edge, but it’s old school and effective.

West Wallsend, on the other hand, is a team that thrives on momentum.

When their forwards roll forward, they’re capable of stringing together points quickly.

Finals footy, though, demands discipline — and their ability to complete high and limit errors will decide their fate.

They are also led by one of the top coaches in the competition, Phil Hure.

Expect a fast, physical battle where neither side will give an inch.

The winner books their ticket to Week 3, while the loser’s season ends on the spot.

THE ROAD TO THE FINAL

• Winner of Lakes v Cessnock progresses to the grand final
• Winner of Westy v Stockton plays loser of Cessnock v Lakes. The loser of the match is eliminated for 2025

2025 WOMEN’S COMMUNITY PLATE

SEMI-FINAL 1

CARDIFF v MALLABULA

Lakeside Sporting Complex – Field 2, Saturday 30 August, 11.30am

Cardiff enters September as a tough, battle-hardened outfit — the reigning minor premiers.

Their edge comes from physicality, a side that enjoys turning games into grinding contests and wearing opponents down.

Finals footy suits them, and they’ll look to dominate possession and territory.

Possibly the most talkative side in the competition.

Mallabula, meanwhile, brings a similar style but with a bit more control.

They’re not afraid to chance their arm and can turn defence into attack quickly with opportunistic play.

If they can withstand the pressure in the middle, their speed out wide could prove decisive.

This is a classic contrast: Cardiff’s patience and discipline against Mallabula’s unpredictability.

SEMI-FINAL 2

HINTON v NELSON BAY BANDITS

Lakeside Sporting Complex – Field 2, Sunday 31 August, 11.30am

Hinton’s rise has been built on consistency.

They know their systems, trust their middle unit and rarely beat themselves.

In tight contests, that kind of control is invaluable, and they’ll aim to strangle Nelson Bay with completions and repeat sets.

They are a big side.

The Bandits, however, are anything but predictable.

Nelson Bay plays with energy and thrive on fast starts.

If they can get on the board early, they have the ability to build scoreboard pressure and force Hinton to chase.

Their challenge will be sustaining that tempo for the full contest. They do come into this match carrying injuries.

This one could come down to composure: Hinton’s steady hand versus Nelson Bay’s high-risk, high-reward style.

WHAT’S AT STAKE

• Winners of Mallabula and Cardiff advance to the grand final
• Loser plays the winner of Bandits and Hinton in the prelim
• Loser of Bandits and Hinton is eliminated for 2025

AROUND THE GROUNDS

COACH OF THE YEAR

Hawks mentor Brooke Roach has emerged as the frontrunner for Coach of the Year honours in 2025. All the spotlight remains on the gentle giant, having guided the Hawks to third position after a stunning mid-year turnaround. Roach would do well by now going out and buying a polishing cloth in anticipation of receiving his new award.

HAWKE FOR PM?

Congratulations to Alicia-Kate Hawke on her appointment to the Knights’ Tarsha Gale Cup side after successful stints as an assistant at NRLW level with both St George Illawarra and Newcastle. Both parents and players have given positive feedback around her appointment by the club in what is a positive step forward for the pathways program.

For more sports stories:

• Goannas keen to get jump on Roos in NEWRL play-offs
• Roosters won’t stop Holbrook pursuing Knights job
• It’s been a privilege to coach Knights, says O’Brien

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