Four different clubs have won Newcastle Rugby League premierships in as many years and Central will be out to make it five in 2018.
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With the season set to kick-off this weekend check out what players have landed where ahead of the upcoming campaign.
CENTRAL NEWCASTLE
Coach: Craig Miller
2017: Third
Gains: Simon Williams, Callan Richardson (Wests); Terence Seu Seu (Kurri); Shane Gray (Tugun – Gold Coast); Jermaine Ale, Marcel Ikinofo (returning).
Losses: Jace Delaney (overseas); Jacob McKendry (Cessnock); Brett Jarrett (not playing).
Bottom Line: Big chance to break 69-year title drought after strong off-season recruiting from Butcher Boys.
Tip: First
MACQUARIE
Coach: Adam Bettridge
2017: Second (major premiers)
Gains: Kyle Eather (Collegians – Wollongong); Kelly Benson (Tweed Heads); Nick Worthington (Karaka – New Zealand); Todd Hurrell (returning); Jayden Rosberg (Souths); Kyle Smith (Kurri); Tyler Prince-Campbell (Maitland); David Dryden (Wests); Lachlan Preston (Singleton).
Losses: Chris Hyde, Mitch Manson (Woy Woy – Central Coast); Nathan Hinton, Brendan Worth (retired); Blake Gallen (injured); Royce Geoffrey (Cessnock); Shane Beale (Kurri).
Bottom Line: Riding the high from 2017 grand final, Scorpions in the mix again.
Tip: Second
WESTERN SUBURBS
Coach: Matt Lantry
2017: First (lost grand final)
Gains: Ryan Stig (returning); Tama Koopu (North Devils – Queensland Cup); Beau Simpson, Matt Shipway (Souths); Jordan Worboys, Oliver Powell (Cessnock); Joey Griffiths (Greta-Branxton); Josh Allison (London Skolars); Fraser Price (Merewether – union).
Losses: Uti Baker (South Logan – Queensland Cup); Simon Williams, Callan Richardson (Central); Jade Porter (Kurri); David Dryden (Macquarie); Peter Mannion (retired); Chad Redman (not playing).
Bottom Line: Stinging from last year’s decider, Rosellas keen to strike back.
Tip: Third
CESSNOCK
Coach: Al Lantry
2017: Sixth
Gains: Paul Carter (Coffs Harbour/Roosters – NRL); Chanel Mata’utia (Knights – NRL); Alex Mammone (Halifax – English Championship); Lantry, Josh Adu (Leigh East – England); Jordan Stratton (Windsor – Ron Massey Cup); Royce Geoffrey (Macquarie); Jacob McKendry (Central); Riley Brown (Denman).
Losses: Jordan Worboys, Oliver Powell (Wests); Zeb Dunstan (Kurri); Robert Tuliatu (Asquith – Sydney Shield); Cal Orchard, Jai See, Tory Neville (Greta Branxton); Theeran Pearson (not playing).
Bottom Line: Goannas could well be the improvement package this year.
Tip: Fourth
MAITLAND
Coach: Luke Dorn
2017: Seventh
Gains: Adam Clydsdale (Raiders – NRL); Scott Williams (Concord – Ron Massey Cup); Geordie Connelly (Rockingham – WA); Ryan Walsh, Ethan Niszczot (Kurri); Tim Watson (Scone); Josh Griffiths (Greta Branxton); Drew Watkins, Isaac Upton, Tyler Perrin (Nelson Bay); Shay Padberg (return).
Losses: Curtis Naughton (Lakes); Tyler Prince-Campbell (Macquarie); Tom McKenzie, George O’Brien (Kurri).
Bottom Line: New ground, new coach, new year for the Pickers.
Tip: Fifth
SOUTH NEWCASTLE
Coach: Ben Cross
2017: Fifth
Gains: Tori Freeman-Quay (West Belconnen – Canberra); Kieran Cubby-Shipp (Dubbo); Campbell Scott (Bathurst); Jayden Hethrington (Nelson Bay – union).
Losses: Liam Higgins (Sunshine Coast – Queensland Cup); Matt Shipway, Beau Simpson (Wests); Roman Fepuleai (Lakes), Jayden Rosberg (Wests).
Bottom Line: Lions will be in a fight for the top five once more.
Tip: Sixth
LAKES
Coach: Todd Edwards
2017: Fourth
Gains: Junior Roqica (London Broncos); Tyrone Amey (Knights – NRL); Daniel Peck (Wests Tigers – 20s); Josh Charles, Kodie Charles (Griffith); Curtis Naughton (Maitland); Roman Fepuleai (Souths).
Losses: Chris Adams (Toukley – Central Coast); Jamayne Taunoa-Brown (Norths Devils – Queensland Cup); Chanse Burgess (Mudgee); Dylan Hartin (injured); Lee McClintock (retired); Jay Sullivan (not playing).
Bottom Line: Knights reserve grade representatives may take toll on Seagulls.
Tip: Seventh
KURRI KURRI
Coach: Ron Griffiths
2017: Eighth
Gains: Sam Wooden (Mudgee); Jade Porter (Wests); Shane Beale (Macquarie); Tom McKenzie, George O’Brien (Maitland); Jono Maloney (Maitland – union).
Losses: Terence Seu Seu (Central); Ryan Walsh, Ethan Niszczot (Maitland); Kyle Smith (Macquarie).
Bottom Line: Bulldogs will bite a few teams.
Tip: Eighth