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Newcastle Herald

National

Renee Valentine

Quick plays: All you need to know from a weekend of sport in Newcastle on August 20-21, 2022

Peter Lorimer Newcastle Knights NRLW Brisbane Broncos Newcastle Newcastle City (Organization) Warners Bay (Organization) McDonald Jones Stadium Knights Maitland (Organization)

Action in NRLW match between the Newcastle Knights and Brisbane Broncos at McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday. Picture: Peter Lorimer

NPL NNSW action between Newcastle Olympic and Maitland at Darling Street Oval. Picture: Peter Lorimer

Action in NBL1 East play-offs match between the Newcastle Falcons and Sutherland at Newcastle Basketball Stadium on Saturday. Picture: Peter Lorimer

Semi-final action in Newcastle championship netball on Saturday: Picture: Peter Lorimer

Newcastle Rugby League finals action between Macquarie and Central at St John Oval on Saturday. Picture: Peter Lorimer

Black Diamond AFL Women's action between Newcastle City and Warners Bay at Feighan Oval on Saturday. Picture: Peter Lorimer

There was plenty of hype surrounding a new-look Newcastle Knights NRLW team leading into their season-opener at McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday, and they did not disappoint.

A gritty, tenacious, skilful and passionate performance inspired the club's first ever win in NRLW and gave Knights fans something to get excited about.

A breathe of fresh air after a week the club would probably like to forget.

Fresh from collecting a Commonwealth Games gold medal with the Australian rugby sevens side in Birmingham last month, teenage sensation Jesse Southwell starred on NRLW debut.

The Knights No.7 crossed for a try in the early stages to set up the 32-14 win over the Brisbane Broncos.

They hit the road to play the Titans this weekend before returning home to host the Eels.

The Knights NRLW victory came after Newcastle's men's side was over-run by Canberra.

Grand final appearance booked

University of Newcastle secured passage to their first grand final in Newcastle championship netball with a four-goal win over minor premiers Souths in a see-sawing semi-final at National Park on Saturday.

They will have the weekend off now as Souths battle a firing West Leagues Balance in the do-or-die preliminary final.

West won the last three grand finals in Newcastle's top division of netball. Finals have not been held for the past two years due to COVID.

Falcons season over in play-off exits

The Newcastle Falcons men's and women's NBL1 East seasons ended over the weekend when they both went down in the play-offs at Newcastle Basketball Stadium on Saturday.

The men lost 96-78 to a sweet-shooting Sutherland while the women bowed out in a heart-breaking 78-73 defeat at the hands of Manly.

Hopes fade, premierships on the line

Lambton Jaffas became the fourth ladder leaders in four weeks as Newcastle Olympic toppled Maitland 2-1 on Sunday to keep themselves in fifth spot and play another major role in the NPLM Northern NSW premiership race.

The victory ensured Olympic stayed equal with Valentine, on 31 points but ahead on goals, in fifth after the Phoenix defeated a 10-man Charlestown 4-0 at Lisle Carr Oval on Sunday.

In NPLW NNSW, Maitland coach David Walker conceded the Magpies' finals hopes appeared over after a 6-0 rout at the hands of sixth-placed Adamstown left the fifth-placed side four points adrift of the top four.

Competition leaders Warners Bay stayed three points clear of Broadmeadow in second with two games each to play in the race for the premiership.

Also on the soccer front, Adamstown Rosebud junior and Matildas midfielder Clare Wheeler signed with Everton FC in English Women's Super League over the weekend.