The 2024 Newcastle Rugby League was a competition to determine the best semi-professional rugby league team in Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. Season 2024 saw Maitland Pickers defeat Central Newcastle in the First Grade Grand Final, 24–4. This was Maitland's 15th premiership in the competition's history. Central Newcastle appeared in their first Grand Final since 1963, breaking a 49-year drought. The inaugural Women's Premiership was also contested in 2024, with Maitland Pickers Women's team claiming the title. The official Newcastle Rugby League commentary team consisted of Tony Delaney and Peter Jolly, delivering expert analysis and post-game interviews.
First Grade (Newcastle Rugby League) This season featured the same 11 teams as the 2023 season.
Teams ColoursClubHome ground(s)Head coachCentral Newcastle Butcher BoysSt John OvalAdam BettridgeCessnock GoannasBaddeley ParkHarry SiejkaKurri Kurri BulldogsKurri Kurri Sports GroundRip TaylorLakes United SeagullsCahill OvalIan BourkeMacquarie ScorpionsLyall Peacock FieldJye BaileyMaitland PickersMaitland SportsgroundMatt LantryNorthern HawksTomaree Sports GroundBrad TigheSouth Newcastle LionsTownson OvalAndrew RyanThe Entrance TigersEDSACC OvalJamie ForbesWestern Suburbs RosellasHarker OvalRick StoneWyong RoosMorry Breen OvalMitch Williams
Team of the Year The Newcastle Rugby League announced the official Team of the Year and Player of the Year.
Fullback – Lewis Young Winger – Honeti Tuha Centre – Matt Soper-Lawler Five-Eighth – Ryan Glanville Halfback – Bayden Searle Prop – Jake Woods Hooker – Mitch Black Second Row – Henry Penn Lock – Sam Anderson Coach – Adam Bettridge Player of the Year – Mitch Black
Other category winners were also announced: Rookie of the Year - Beau Slade Try of the Year - James Bradley Representative Player of the Year - James Taylor Leading pointscorer - Mitch Black Leading tryscorer - Ty Fletcher
LeagueCastle provides official statistics for the Newcastle Rugby League competition. Most try assists - Ryan Glanville (21) Most line-break assists - Ryan Glanville (27) Most tackles - Connor Kirkwood (665) Most line breaks - Mapu Uasi (20) Most metres run - Connor Kirkwood (3596m) Most tackle breaks - Luke Sharpe (90)
Running a Dally-M Style voting competition based on best statistical performances (3/2/1 point votes per game), Leaguecastle announced their 2024 Newcastle Rugby League Team of the Year 1 and 2 as follows:
LeagueCastle Team of the Year Joint Player/Stat Man of the Year – Connor Kirkwood & Tony Pellow. Fullback – Tony Pellow Wingers – Honeti Tuha & Mapu Uasi Centres – Matt Soper-Lawler & Kain Anderson Five-Eighth – Ryan Glanville Halfback – Sam Clune Hooker – Mitch Black Props – Jayden Butterfield & Jake Woods Second Rows – Wyatt Shaw & Jack Welsh Lock – Connor Kirkwood Coach (most players to register at least 1 vote) – Matt Lantry Bench – Cameron Anderson, Reeve Howard, Luke Sharpe, Lewis Young, Alex Langbridge.
LeagueCastle Team of the Year 2 Fullback – Matt Cooper Wingers – Ty Fletcher & Mao Uta Centres – Grant Nelson & Brayden Musgrove Five-Eighth – Ryan Potts Halfback – Nick Newman Props – David Fifita & James Taylor Hooker – Mitch Williams Second Rows – Malik Deyaolu & Ethan Campbell Lock – Ben Stone (Western Suburbs Rosellas) Bench - Logan Radzievic, Isaiah Olsen, Manu Alexander, Harvey Neville, Nick Glohe
Ladder
Round 1 Stat Definitions: LB (Line Breaks), TB (Tackle Breaks), LBA (LB Assists), TA (Try Assists), M (Metres), CAR (Carries), TCK (Tackles), OL (Offloads), FDO (Forced Drop Out), TC (Try Contribution), LBC (LB Contribution). HomeScoreAwayMatch InformationDate VenueLeagueCastle's Man of the Match (and Stats) The Entrance Tigers28 – 24 Lakes UnitedSaturday, 13 AprilNewcastle No. 2 SportsgroundCahleb Faulkner (3 Tries, 2 LB, 10 TB, 111m) Wyong Roos25 – 24 Kurri Kurri BulldogsSaturday, 13 AprilNewcastle No. 2 SportsgroundConnor Kirkwood (30 TCK, 29 CAR 235m) Northern Hawks10 – 20 Maitland PickersSaturday, 13 AprilNewcastle No. 2 SportsgroundSam Anderson (1 Try, 13 CAR, 120m, 20 TCK, 1 LB) Macquarie Scorpions6 – 26 Cessnock GoannasSaturday, 13 AprilNewcastle No. 2 SportsgroundHarvey Neville (1 Try, 106m, 1 TA, 1 LBA, 1 LB). Western Suburbs Rosellas8 – 22 Central Newcastle Butcher BoysSaturday, 13th AprilNewcastle No. 2 SportsgroundBrock Greacen (21 CAR, 179m, 2 TB, 24 TCK) South Newcastle LionsBYE
Round 2 HomeScoreAwayMatch InformationDate VenueLeagueCastle's Man of the Match (and Stats) Lakes United12 – 12 Western Suburbs RosellasSaturday, 20 AprilCahill OvalHeath Gibbs (181m, 19 CAR, 1 LB, 4 TB, 1 TA) Maitland Pickers20 – 0 Kurri Kurri BulldogsSaturday, 20 AprilMaitland No. 1 SportsgroundBrock Lamb (1 Try, 2 TA, 2 LBA, 5 FDO) Wyong Roos0 – 6 The Entrance TigersSaturday, 20 AprilMorry Breen OvalJake Woods (169m, 21 CAR, 45 TCK, 4 TB) Macquarie Scorpions34 – 20 Northern HawksSunday, 28 AprilLyall Peacock FieldJake Self (1 TA, 1 LBA, 2 TC, 1 LBC, 1 FDO 90% D). South Newcastle Lions24 – 6 Central Newcastle Butcher BoysSunday, 28th AprilTownson OvalSam Clune (1 Try, 1 TC, 1 LBC, 2 LBA, 2 LB, 4 TB, 1 FDO, 25 TCK 100% D) Cessnock GoannasBYE
Round 3 HomeScoreAwayMatch InformationDate VenueLeagueCastle's Man of the Match (and Stats) Central Newcastle Butcher Boys38 – 10 Macquarie ScorpionsThursday, 25 AprilSt. John OvalTy Fletcher (3 Tries, 2 LB, 2 TB, 91m) South Newcastle Lions56 – 14 Kurri Kurri BulldogsThursday, 25 AprilTownson OvalMitch Black (2 Tries, 1 TA, 2 TC, 2 LBC, 1 LBA, 3 TB, 28 TCK 100% D) Cessnock Goannas44 – 6 Northern HawksThursday, 25 AprilBaddeley ParkAngus Ernst (2 TA, 2 TC, 2 LBA, 2 LBC, 1 FDO, 87% D) Lakes United20 – 14 Wyong RoosSunday, 28 AprilCahill OvalDylan Phythian (2 Tries, 1 TA, 1 TC, 1 LBA, 2 LB, 8 TB, 1 40/20, 100% D). Western Suburbs Rosellas36 – 30 Maitland PickersSunday, 28 AprilHarker OvalLuke Walsh (3 TA, 3 LBA) The Entrance TigersBYE
Round 4 HomeScoreAwayMatch InformationDate VenueLeagueCastle's Man of the Match (and Stats) Cessnock Goannas12 – 12 Maitland PickersSaturday, 4 MayBaddeley ParkWyatt Shaw (55 Tackles, 96% D, 1 Forced Error, 12 CAR, 97m) Kurri Kurri Bulldogs18 – 30 Lakes UnitedSaturday, 4 MayKurri Kurri Sports GroundPeter Mata'utia (2 LBA, 1 TA, 1 TC, 4 TB, 2 OL, 12 CAR, 124m, 24 TCK, 89% D) Northern Hawks12 – 22 Wyong RoosSaturday, 4 MayMorry Breen OvalLuke Sharpe (2 TC, 1 LBC, 1 LBA, 5 TB, 2 OL, 16 CAR, 151m) Western Suburbs Rosellas20 – 12 The Entrance TigersSunday, 5 MayBaddeley ParkKiah Cooper (1 Try, 1 TA, 1 LBA, 1 LB, 7 TB, 115m). Macquarie Scorpions8 – 24 South Newcastle LionsSunday, 18 MayLyall Peacock FieldMitch Black (3 TA, 3 LBA, 1 LBC, 1 FDO, 3 TB, 39 TCK, 98% D) Central Newcastle Butcher BoysBYE
Round 5 HomeScoreAwayMatch InformationDate VenueLeagueCastle's Man of the Match (and Stats) Western Suburbs Rosellas34 – 4 Northern HawksSaturday, 11 MayLakeside Sporting ComplexWill Smith (2 FDO, 1 TA, 1 TC, 1 LBA, 1 LBC, 1 LB, 2 TB, 14.8m a run) Maitland Pickers34 – 12 Lakes UnitedSaturday, 11 MayMaitland No. 1 SportsgroundMatt Soper-Lawler (2 TA, 2 LBA, 3 TB, 10 CAR, 80m, 3 Forced Errors) Wyong Roos16 – 18 South Newcastle LionsSaturday, 11 MayMorry Breen OvalFrank-Paul Nu'uausala (1 Try, 3 OL, 1 LB, 3 TB, 170m, 18 CAR, 21 TCK, 91% D) Central Newcastle Butcher Boys16 – 26 Cessnock GoannasSunday, 12 MayBaddeley ParkHoneti Huha (2 Tries, 2 LB, 11 TB, 219m, 18 CAR) The Entrance Tigers62 – 10 Kurri Kurri BulldogsSunday, 12 MayMaitland No. 1 SportsgroundMyles Lee-Taueli (2 Tries, 7 TB, 2 LB, 1 TA, 183m, 16 CAR, 21 TCK, 95% D) Macquarie ScorpionsBYE
Round 6 HomeScoreAwayMatch InformationDate VenueLeagueCastle's Man of the Match (and Stats) Kurri Kurri Bulldogs28 – 28 Cessnock GoannasSaturday, 25 MayKurri Kurri Sports GroundConnor Kirkwood (30 CAR, 244m, 38 TCK 98% D, 1 FDO) Maitland Pickers30 – 14 Wyong RoosSaturday, 25 MayMaitland No. 1 SportsgroundJames Taylor (32 TCK, 19 CAR, 213m, 1 LB, 3 TB) Northern Hawks6 – 16 Central Newcastle Butcher BoysSaturday, 25 MayTomaree Sports GroundTyrone Nean (2 Tries, 1 LB, 1 TA, 2 LBA, 101m, 94% D) Macquarie Scorpions22 – 42 Western Suburbs RosellasSunday, 26 MayLyall Peacock FieldKiah Cooper (3 Tries, 7 TB, 3 LB, 1 LBA, 1 TC, 157m, 12 CAR) The Entrance Tigers22 – 26 South Newcastle LionsSunday, 26 MayEDSACC Oval NorthTony Pellow (3 TA, 1 TC, 3 LBA, 1 LBC, 6 TB, 1 FDO, 145m, 14 CAR) Lakes UnitedBYE
Round 7 HomeScoreAwayMatch InformationDate VenueLeagueCastle's Man of the Match (and Stats) Cessnock Goannas30 – 12 South Newcastle LionsSaturday, 1 JuneBaddeley ParkLewis Young (1 Try, 1 TA, 1 LBA, 4 LB, 9 TB, 176M, 13 CAR) Kurri Kurri Bulldogs12 – 24 Macquarie ScorpionsSaturday, 1 JuneKurri Kurri SportsgroundConnor Kirkwood (51 TCK, 93% D, 35 CAR, 287m) The Entrance Tigers8 – 18 Maitland PickersTuesday, 4 JuneEDSACC SouthLuke Knight (2 Tries, 3 LB, 2 TB, 115m) Western Suburbs Rosellas16 – 22 Wyong RoosThursday, 6 JuneMorry Breen OvalIsaac Blackhall (1 Try, 2 LB, 6 TB, 1 TA, 1 LBA, 1 TC, 141m, 13 CAR, 100% D) Lakes United24 – 26 Central Newcastle Butcher BoysSaturday, 10 AugustCahill OvalNick Glohe (2 Tries, 2 LB, 7 TB, 111m, 28 TCK, 93% D) Northern HawksBYE
Round 8 HomeScoreAwayMatch InformationDate VenueLeagueCastle's Man of the Match (and Stats) Lakes United20 – 30 The Entrance TigersSaturday, 8 JuneCahill OvalTony Pellow (4 Tries, 1 TA, 1 LBA, 5 LB, 8 TB, 315m, 12 CAR) Maitland Pickers50 – 14 Northern HawksSaturday, 8 JuneMaitland No.1 SportsgroundJackson Eckford (Debut) (3 Tries, 4 LB, 4 TB, 112m) Cessnock Goannas20 – 18 Macquarie ScorpionsSaturday, 8 JuneLakeside Sporting ComplexHoneti Tuha (2 Tries, 1 LB, 6 TB, 1 OL, 205m, 15 CAR) Central Newcastle Butcher Boys24 – 22 South Newcastle LionsWednesday, 12 JuneSt. John OvalKain Anderson (1 Try, 1 LB, 5 TB, 1 LBA, 1 TA, 101m) Northern Hawks Kurri Kurri Bulldogs Western Suburbs RosellasBYE
Round 9 HomeScoreAwayMatch InformationDate VenueLeagueCastle's Man of the Match (and Stats) Cessnock Goannas26 – 12 Lakes UnitedSaturday, 15 JuneHowe ParkHarvey Neville (1 Try, 1 LB, 4 TB, 1 TA, 162m, 15 CAR, 94% D) Kurri Kurri Bulldogs22 – 54 The Entrance TigersSaturday, 15 JuneKurri Kurri SportsgroundTony Pellow (2 Tries, 5 LBA, 5 TB, 1 TA, 1 TC, 117m, 9 CAR) South Newcastle Lions38 – 8 Wyong RoosSaturday, 16 JuneTownson OvalMapu Uasi (4 Tries, 4 LB, 6 TB, 1 TA, 133m) Macquarie Scorpions0 – 50 Central Newcastle Butcher BoysTuesday, 18 JuneSt. John OvalCameron Anderson (2 Tries, 2 TA, 1 TC, 1 LBA, 1 LBC, 3 LB, 6 TB, 113m) Northern Hawks14 – 12 Western Suburbs RosellasSunday, 11 AugustTomaree Sports GroundHenry Penn (1 Try, 4 OL, 6 TB, 20 CAR, 173m, 24 TCK, 96% D) Maitland PickersBYE
Round 10 HomeScoreAwayMatch InformationDate VenueLeagueCastle's Man of the Match (and Stats) South Newcastle Lions62 – 10 Macquarie ScorpionsSaturday, 22 JuneTownson OvalReeve Howard (1 Try, 4 LB, 4 TB, 3 LBA, 3 TA, 1 TC, 195m) Lakes United62 – 10 Kurri Kurri BulldogsSaturday, 22 JuneCahill OvalMatt Cooper (2 Tries, 10 TB, 3 LB, 3 TA, 1 LBA, 171m) Maitland Pickers44 – 6 Cessnock GoannasSaturday, 22 JuneMaitland No. 1 SportsgroundMatt Soper-Lawler (1 Try, 4 TA, 3 LBA, 1 LB, 3 TB, 106m) The Entrance Tigers30 – 16 Western Suburbs RosellasSunday, 23 JuneEDSACC SouthNick Newman (2 Tries, 1 TA, 1 LBA, 3 LB, 8 TB, 15.8m a run) Northern Hawks14 – 36 Wyong RoosWednesday, 3 JulyTomaree Sports GroundBayden Searle (2 Tries, 3 TA, 1 LBA, 2 LB, 1 FDO) Central Newcastle Butcher BoysBYE
Round 11