Women’s premiership tackles final round ahead of NEWRL play-offs

The Milleen Group Women’s Premiership has reached its final stop.

And, while the five finalists are confirmed, their order is anything but settled.

Maitland has already secured the minor premiership and a valuable first-week bye while Lakes are safe in second.

However, the fight beneath them is about survival routes — who gets the luxury of a double chance and who’s left staring down sudden-death from day one of finals.

On Saturday 23 August, three games kick off simultaneously at 10.45am, with every one of them carrying September consequences.

By lunchtime, the semi-final puzzle will be complete.

SOUTH NEWCASTLE LIONS v CENTRAL NEWCASTLE BUTCHER GIRLS

Baddeley Park, Cessnock

The match of the round in terms of finals drama.

Central (4th, 14 points) and Souths (5th, 13 points) go head-to-head knowing they can’t miss the five, but the loser will limp into the finals from fifth place and be thrown straight into sudden-death.

The winner, meanwhile, secures fourth and, while it’s still elimination footy, they’ll carry momentum and belief into the do-or-die clash that follows.

For Souths, who surged late to scrape into contention, this is effectively their first final — a high-pressure test of whether their best football can hold up under the weight of expectation.

Central has been patchy, and playing busted, but with everything on the line, the Butcher Girls will see this as the chance to spark into September form.

On the injury front, Souths will be near full-strength.

The mail continues to strengthen that Central captain Monica Morris is close to a much-needed return.

The Butcher Girls have been brave, busted and, at times, playing with no bench after a three-day turnaround.

Souths, on the other hand, cruise into this one after forfeiting to the minor premiers midweek.

How to win it – South Newcastle

Leg speed through the middle in yardage, trying to force Central to use its bench early and often with their limited numbers. Don’t put the ball out — keep it in play and test the Birdies’ fitness after their short turnaround. Alicia Weir engaging markers and hitting speed players like Akauma, Watts, Whitelaw and Buteux in yardage early will open up opportunities in good-ball. Be patient early, as Souths are traditionally better in their second halves against Central.

How to win it – Central Newcastle

Play field position, use all your tackles and kick long. Find retreating A defenders in attack and play through the front door, as there is poor lateral adjustment against the grain — Maitland, Lakes and the Hawks have all exploited it. Souths’ marker tie-in at the posts is open for exploitation, and line speed when Souths shift on tackle three will force key playmaker Dufour into tough passes. A difficult task, but certainly not impossible.

WESTERN SUBURBS ROSELLAS v NORTHERN HAWKS

Harker Oval

For the Hawks, it’s all about control.

Sitting third on 16 points, they know victory secures the double chance in the qualifying final against Lakes.

Lose, however, and they open the door for Central to leapfrog them into third, which would drop them back into sudden-death territory.

The Rosellas may be out of contention, but that makes them dangerous — nothing to lose, nothing to protect.

Spoiling the Hawks’ finals pathway would be a small win in a long year.

Expect Northern to lean heavily on their forwards to dominate early and avoid a nervous finish.

The Hawks need a polished performance in this one and have built a handy résumé in recent times, with their win against Souths at the Bay giving them belief and momentum.

A side that was written off by most people externally has become the Cinderella story of the competition.

LAKES UNITED SEAGULLS v MAITLAND PICKERS

Kurri Kurri Sports Ground

The glamour fixture of the round.

Lakes (2nd, 18 points) are locked into a qualifying final spot, but this is their chance to test themselves against the competition’s gold standard.

Maitland (26 points) has swept all before it, claiming the minor premiership in style, and now heads into finals with a week off already booked.

The Pickers face the balance of staying sharp versus protecting bodies, but knowing their ruthless streak, don’t expect them to let up.

For Lakes, any psychological edge gained here could be invaluable if they meet again in the weeks ahead. Finals intensity will be thick in the air at Kurri.

Looking forward to seeing Terri Van Wyk back at 9 for the Pickers as she gains momentum.

In the opposing corner is teenage sensation Maronay Smuts, whose pass selection and ability to play what’s in front of her could determine the outcome of the game.

THE FINALS EQUATION

1st – Maitland: Minor premiers, week off secured
2nd – Lakes: Qualifying final locked in
3rd – Hawks: Win to guarantee the double chance, lose and risk slipping
4th – Central/Souths: Saturday’s clash decides the order — winner fourth, loser fifth
5th – Lowest ranked of Central or Souths: Sudden-death start
6th – Wests: Season over

THE BOTTOM LINE

The five is set but the order is still pure chaos.

The Hawks are fighting to protect their double chance, Central and Souths are locked in a straight shootout to avoid the wooden spoon of finals positions, and Lakes have one last chance to measure themselves against the Pickers juggernaut.

Three games, three venues, all kicking off together — and by Saturday afternoon the pathway to the premiership will be carved in stone.

September is here… and the Milleen Women’s Premiership is about to explode. Let’s get it on!

COMMUNITY CUP

Sudden-death football begins

The regular season is done and the 2025 Women’s Community Cup now shifts into finals mode.

It’s knockout footy from here, with every mistake potentially fatal and every win one step closer to glory.

Minor premiers Lakes United sits back this weekend with a free pass, while the rest battle it out for survival.

ELIMINATION FINAL – WEST WALLSEND v MAITLAND PICKERS

Lakeside Sporting Complex | Saturday, 10.15am

The first shot fired in this finals series.

For West Wallsend and Maitland, it’s as simple as it gets: win or pack your bags.

Both sides have had up-and-down seasons but will relish the chance to reset and throw everything into one game.

Expect plenty of physicality early as neither team can afford a slow start. There’s a massive feeling about this match after last week’s clash.

Players to watch – Pickers

Jess Pham: A superstar in this competition with speed to burn
Monica Asimus: A hard-working 9 who locks up the middle
Chloe Geering: Does the tough stuff and plays big minutes in the middle

Players to watch – Wests

Reighan Peckham: Back at fullback in a surprise move. Coach Hure has something cooking
Ava Hure: Calm game manager who is patient with her opportunities
Sasha Juhnke: Has shown incremental improvement throughout the season and was solid last week against the Pickers

What’s at stake: everything! Season over for the loser. Winner stays alive and moves one step closer to Lakes.

QUALIFYING FINAL – CESSNOCK GOANNAS v STOCKTON

Tomaree Sports Ground | Saturday, 4.15pm

This is the blockbuster clash of the round.

Cessnock and Stockton know the equation: the winner books a preliminary final showdown with the elimination final victor, the loser’s season ends.

Both teams have shown flashes of brilliance through the year, but consistency has been the question.

With everything on the line, whichever team handles the pressure and completes their sets will be the one still standing.

Players to watch – Cessnock

Lena Cartwright: Calm, composed, and a strong runner of the footy
Liv Rostron: Steers the side around the park, a great competitor
Lupe Nhatuvai: Hands of a half and as hard to tackle as an army tank

Players to watch – Stockton

Emjay Walters: Agile, athletic and a natural tryscorer
Sophie Anderson: The side’s fortunes rest on her shoulders — too good for this level of competition
Emma Maher: Old-school middle with a reliable work rate and powerful runner of the football

What’s at stake: A direct ticket to the preliminary final, where Lakes United’s opponent will be decided.

Looking ahead

Lakes United: Minor premiers, straight through to the preliminary final
Winner Cessnock/Stockton: Meets elimination final winner next week
Winner of that clash: Faces Lakes for a grand final berth

Bottom line

It’s knockout football from the opening whistle. West Wallsend and Maitland start the day fighting for survival, while Cessnock and Stockton close it with a heavyweight battle. By Saturday night, two teams will be gone, and the road to the Community Cup crown will be narrowed to three.

COMMUNITY PLATE

Cardiff sits back as battle begins

The 2025 Women’s Community Plate has reached knockout time and it’s sudden-death from the very start.

Minor premiers Cardiff has earned the luxury of a week off, while the other four sides are left to fight tooth and nail for the right to face them in the preliminary showdown.

ELIMINATION FINAL – NELSON BAY BANDITS v THORNTON BERESFIELD

Tomaree Sports Ground | Friday 22 August, 6.30pm

Finals footy starts with a bang under lights.

For Nelson Bay and Thornton Beresfield, there’s no second chance — lose and the season is over.

Both sides have shown flashes this season but will need to summon their best in a pressure cooker.

Expect a physical contest with nerves early before it opens up in the second half.

What’s at stake: The loser is gone. The winner stays alive to face the qualifying final survivor.

QUALIFYING FINAL – MALLABULA v HINTON

Mallabula Sporting Complex | Saturday 23 August, 12.45pm

This clash is all about who can handle the moment.

Mallabula and Hinton have both proven capable of troubling anyone in the competition, but here the pressure is dialled right up.

A spot in the next stage awaits the winner, while the loser will see their season ended in abrupt fashion.

What’s at stake: Winner advances to meet the elimination final victor. Loser out.

Bottom line

Nelson Bay and Thornton Beresfield open the weekend fighting for survival, Mallabula and Hinton follow with everything on the line, and Cardiff sits back waiting for their challenger. By Saturday night, two clubs will be gone and the road to the Community Plate crown will be clear.

FINALS FORMAT

It’s a top-five system.

Minor premiers Lakes United (Community Cup) and Cardiff (Community Plate) both receive the Week 1 bye.

Second meets third in the qualifying final, while fourth tackles fifth in the elimination final.

The loser of the qualifying final gets a second chance against the elimination final winner, while the victor earns the right to face the minor premiers.

WHAT TO WATCH – TD’s picks

Maitland v Lakes – 10.45am at Kurri Sportsground
Mallabula v Hinton – 12.45pm at Mallabula
Cessnock v Stockton – 4.15pm at Tomaree Sporting Complex

Enjoy your finals football!

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