Author : NSWRL

Tigers create history with Andrew Johns Cup win

Macarthur Wests Tigers coach Adam Whitelaw had challenged his players this season to create history and become the first team from the region to claim the Andrew Johns Cup,

They answered the call in style today after beating Newcastle Maitland Region Knights 26-16 in the Grand Final at Port Macquarie Regional Sports Stadium.

The Tigers recovered from a shaky start, after the Knights scored a try in the opening minute, to score four unanswered tries and take control of the decider.

It was the region’s first title and made up for the disappointment of their last appearance in 2024 when they lost to Central Coast Roosters, with back-rower Bryce Blatch a deserved Player of the Match.

“This is big,” Whitelaw said.

“Our mantra at the start of the year was create history. No team in Macarthur has won the comp and we’ve done it today so our name’s in the history books forever.

“All the hard work these kids have put in. We knew we had something special from the start and we delivered today. I’m so proud of these kids.”

Adding to the occasion today was the fact the Knights, from the Northern Pool, and the Tigers, from the Southern Pool, had gone through the regular season unbeaten and were meeting for the first time at Port Macquarie.

The Knights got off to a flying start when a kick from five-eighth Koby Skuthorpe was allowed to bounce by the Tigers.

Newcastle winger Izaac Barber batted the ball up before regathering and passing back infield to centre Noah Blundell, who in turn found Skuthorpe in support to race away and score in the opening minute.

Fullback Harlem Blair converted for a 6-0 lead.

The match then turned into a genuine arm wrestle as both teams looked for the ascendency, but defence was winning the day.

The Knights came close again through winger Terrence Smith but the last pass went to ground.

Another chance late in the first half to Knights winger Barber also came up short after the defence arrived in time to bundle him into touch.

“We knew they were going to come, we knew they were a tough opposition,” Whitelaw said.

“They’ve been the benchmark all year and pretty much what we’ve done on the other side of the draw. They didn’t give up either and kept coming. Great effort by them and hats off to Newcastle and their staff.”

The Tigers finally found their groove and came close to scoring on the back of a bullocking run from Blatch only to be denied by some determined goal-line defence.

The Tigers received another opportunity after the Knights failed to clean up a kick from halfback Masen Mallia and they were quick to capitalise.

Centre Zedric Vaiau did well to pop a pass after a strong charge, and replacement Adam El Masri did even better to catch the pass behind him before releasing winger Lucas Bentham down the sideline to score.

Mallia landed the sideline conversion to lock the scores up at 6-all.

The Tigers received another opportunity after Knights fullback Harlem Blair spilled a bomb and they soon turned that into points after El Masri burrowed his way over from dummy-half to score next to the posts.

Mallia converted to send his team into the half-time break with a 12-6 lead.

The Tigers went further in front when play resumed after Blatch proved too strong for the goal line defence and scored a well-deserved try.

Mallia converted and then added a penalty goal a short time later to give the Tigers a handy 20-6 lead.

Any hopes the Knights had of a fightback faded further after a powerful charge from prop Alex Mau paved the way for replacement Hamish Butler to crash over the line on the next play.

Mallia continued his flawless display with the boot to extend the lead to 26-6.

The Knights never gave up and scored two tries at the end – including a spectacular chip and chase from Barber down the touchline – but the damage had been done either side of half-time by the Tigers as they celebrated a 26-16 win.

Full Time

Macarthur Wests Tigers 26

TRIES : Lucas Bentham, Adam El Masri, Bryce Blatch, Hamish Butler
GOALS : Masen Mallia 4

Newcastle Maitland Region Knights 16

TRIES : Koby Skuthorpe, Tyrese Vaipulu, Izaac Barber
GOALS : Harlem Blair 2

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The post Tigers create history with Andrew Johns Cup win appeared first on OurFootyTeam.

Author : NSWRL

Port Macquarie to host NSWRL Regional Representatives Grand Final Day

The NSWRL is pleased to announce that Port Macquarie will host the NSWRL 2026 Regional Representatives Grand Final Day with five games to be played on Saturday 28 March featuring the best regional teams from Major and Junior Representatives competitions across the state.

The titles will be decided for the Andrew Johns Cup (Under 16s Boys), Westpac Regional Lisa Fiaola Cup (Under 17s Girls), Laurie Daley Cup (Under 18s Boys), Men’s Country Championships and Women’s Country Championships at Port Macquarie Regional Sports Stadium.

It is the first time the NSWRL’s Regional Representatives Grand Final Day has been held at Port Macquarie and follows a proud tradition of taking the showpiece event to Rugby League heartland around NSW with Canberra, Cessnock and Woy Woy hosting previous editions.

“The NSWRL Regional Representatives Grand Final Day is always a special occasion as it represents the first of our Grand Final Days for the season but moreover, it is a wonderful celebration of regional Rugby League,” NSWRL Chief Executive David Trodden said.

“Rugby League plays an important role in regional NSW as it helps bind communities together and has also produced some true legends of our game who have gone on to represent at the highest level.

I am confident some of the players we will see on Saturday will follow the same path.

“I congratulate all the teams who have made it through to their respective Grand Finals and I wish all the players the very best of luck as they proudly represent their region.”

The day will kick off with a new premier to be crowned in the Westpac Regional Lisa Fiaola Cup with Northern Tigers taking on Riverina Bulls.

The Tigers will be hoping for a case of third-time lucky after making the Grand Final for the past two seasons only to come up short against the Western Rams (2024) and North Coast Bulldogs (2025), while the Bulls are shooting for their first title.

Macarthur Wests Tigers and Newcastle Maitland Region Knights will follow in the Andrew Johns Cup.

The Knights will be aiming to make it back-to-back titles after beating Northern Rivers Titans last year, while the Tigers last made the decider in 2024 only to go down to Central Coast Roosters.

Macarthur Wests Tigers will also feature in the Laurie Daley Cup when they take on Northern Rivers Titans.

The Tigers made the decider last year but will be hoping for better fortunes after losing to Illawarra South Coast Dragons, while the Titans are looking for their first title.

If Macarthur Wests Tigers are successful in both deciders, they will become the first region since the Central Coast Roosters in 2021 to claim the Andrew Johns Cup and Laurie Daley Cup in the same year.

Newcastle Rebels will be out to make it four straight titles in the Men’s Country Championships when they take on Central Coast Pelicans.

Newcastle have downed the Riverina Bulls (2023), Monaro Colts (2024) and Northern Rivers Titans (2025), while the Pelicans are into their first decider and will be hoping they can be the first team to break the Rebels’ stranglehold.

Western Rams will also be looking to continue their domination of the Women’s Country Championships and make it three consecutive titles when they take on Northern Rivers Titans.

The Rams beat the North Coast Bulldogs (2024) and were comfortable winners last year over the Titans, who will be keen to turn the tables after beating Monaro to make another decider.

Tickets are available at the gate and are only $10 for an adult, $5 for children aged 12-16, while children aged 11 and under and pensioners are free.

NSWRL Regional Representatives Grand Final Day

Port Macquarie Regional Sports Stadium

Saturday 28 March

Westpac Regional Lisa Fiaola Cup

10am: Northern Tigers v Riverina Bulls

Andrew Johns Cup

11.30am: Macarthur Wests Tigers v Newcastle Maitland Region Knights

Laurie Daley Cup

1.15pm: Macarthur Wests Tigers v Northern Rivers Titans

Men’s Country Championships

3pm: Newcastle Rebels v Central Coast Pelicans

Women’s Country Championships

4.45pm: Western Rams v Northern Rivers Titans

Related Links

Port Macquarie to host NSWRL Regional Representatives Grand Final Day

Koori Under 16s tour leaves lasting impact on Vanuatu Rugby League

The post Port Macquarie to host NSWRL Regional Representatives Grand Final Day appeared first on OurFootyTeam.

Author : NSWRL

Knights dig deep to claim first Andrew Johns Cup

Knights dig deep to claim first Andrew Johns Cup (Photo : NSWRL)

Newcastle Maitland Region Knights have claimed their first ALE Andrew Johns Cup trophy after a hard-fought 14-10 win over a gallant Northern Rivers Titans at GIO Stadium today.

In a match where the conditions were tough and points were hard to come by for both teams with the rain tumbling down, the Knights took a slender 8-6 lead into half-time and then dug deep to survive a Titans fightback at the end.

Grand Final – Saturday 29th March

NMR Knights 14 – 10 NR Titans

“It feels surreal and I’m very excited for all the boys to finish off a good season,” Knights coach Joshua Corby said.

“They’ve been working hard and to come here is a pretty good experience for them, and to get the win just tops it off.

“We definitely played to the conditions and it might not have been that exciting for the crowd to play tough footy but it was what we needed to do and we hung on.”

Knights halfback Ty Ennis was awarded the Robert ‘Bert’ Lowrie Medal for Player of the Match after a strong performance which included setting up a crucial try for winger Chayce Afa and landing a sideline conversion to give his side some breathing space at 14-6.

The Knights started the match strongly and threatened to score on a couple of occasions, only to be denied once after some tenacious defence from the Titans while Afa was ruled to have slid into touch on a kick chase before planting the ball down.

The Titans also had their chances at the other end of the field, but were unable to convert and mount any genuine pressure.

A Titans knock-on from a scrum let the Knights off the hook 10 metres out from their own line and they compounded that mistake by conceding a penalty for tackling halfback Ty Ennis after a kick.

The Knights took advantage when Ennis passed to fullback Rico Elers who drew the defence in with a double pump before sending Tyler Donaldson over for the first try of the match. Ennis was unable to land the conversion to leave the Knights ahead 4-0.

The Knights had another chance to mount pressure after Ennis iced a 40/20 kick but he was unable to maintain possession while backing himself to score.

The mistake and a relieving penalty for the Titans saw them work their way downfield and it wasn’t long before fullback Jaylon Russell was accelerating his way across field before picking up Jay Walpole to score in the corner.

Centre Parker Kemister landed the sideline conversion to put the Titans in front 6-4.

The Knights regrouped and then took the advantage into the break when five-eighth Morgan Carter sent Elers over the line to put their noses back in front 8-6.

Titans halfback Dallas Russell showed his skill when play resumed after landing a 40/20 but they were also unable to take advantage of the play with Jaylon Russell losing possession.

The Knights regrouped and then took advantage of a barnstorming run by Oliver Lawrence with Ennis launching a cross-field kick for Afa to outleap his opponent, pluck the ball out of the air and stretch out to score.

Ennis landed the conversion to give the Knights a buffer at 14-6.

A heavy collision between Titans lock Mitchell Barnett and his Knights counterpart Jett Pritchard led to a break in play.

The Titans regrouped with five-eighth Eden Humphreys floating a long pass over the top for Walpole to grab his second try for the game and reduce the deficit to 14-10.

The Titans had their chances as the clock wound down but the Knights defence held firm to hand the club its first title.

Knights dig deep to claim first Andrew Johns Cup

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Sea Eagles Pathways Wrap Rnd 4

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School Footy News

Cronulla High School Uni Shield

Round 4 results

2025 NSWRL Lisa Fioala Cup Rnd 4 results, ladder & top try scorers

2025 NSWRL Tarsha Gale Cup Rnd 4 results, ladder & top try scorers

2025 NSWRL SG Ball Cup Rnd 4 results, ladder & top try scorers

2025 NSWRL Harold Matthews Cup Rnd 4 results, ladder & top try scorers

2025 NSWRL Laurie Daley Cup Rnd 3 results, ladder & top try scorers

2025 NSWRL Andrew Johns Cup Rnd 3 results, ladder & top try scorers

Wests Tigers rnd 2 report

Manly Junior reps wrap rnd 2

SG Ball Cup Rnd 2 Full Results, Ladder & Player Stat’s

Harold Matthews Cup Rnd 2 Full Results, Ladder & Player Stat’s

Tarsha Gale Cup Rnd 2 Full Results, Ladder & Player Stat’s

Lisa Fiola Cup Rnd 2 Full Results, Ladder & Player Stat’s

Tarsha Gale cup Rnd 1 team lists

SG Ball Rnd 1 team lists

The post Knights dig deep to claim first Andrew Johns Cup appeared first on OurFootyTeam.

2025 Andrew Johns Cup Grand Final

29/03/2025 14 - 6 N/A NRM Knights vs Titans

Round 7 Ladder

2025 Andrew Johns Cup Round 7 Ladder

Pos	Team	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	Pts
1	NRM Knights	7	6	0	1	139	114	25	12
2	Ill SC Dragons	6	5	0	1	166	66	100	10
3	M Wests Tigers	6	4	0	2	176	108	68	8
4	Titans	7	4	0	3	154	102	52	8
5	CC Roosters	5	3	0	2	134	101	33	6
6	NR Tigers	5	2	1	2	66	114	-48	5
7	Colts	5	2	0	3	86	128	-42	4
8	Rams	5	1	0	4	118	154	-36	2
9	NC Bulldogs	5	0	1	4	92	160	-68	1
10	Bulls	5	0	0	5	44	128	-84	0

Top Point Scorers

Top Try Scorers

Top Goal Kickers

Top Penalty Goal Kickers

Top Field Goal Kickers

The post 2025 NSWRL Andrew Johns Cup Grand Final appeared first on OurFootyTeam.

Author : Tom Gibbs NSWRL Media

Regional Junior Reps Semi-finals

In this week’s edition, we’re wrapping all the action from a big day of Semi-finals in our regional Junior Representatives competitions. Find out which sides made their way to Grand Final day at GIO Stadium on Saturday 29 March.

Regional Lisa Fiaola Cup Semi-finals

Bulldogs survive arm-wrestle to earn Grand Final appearance

North Coast Bulldogs continued their undefeated run in the Westpac Regional Lisa Fiaola Cup, claiming a 12-8 win over Northern Rivers Titans at Port Macquarie Regional Stadium to progress to the Grand Final on Saturday 29 March.

The rainy conditions set the tone for what became an arm-wrestle throughout, and points were certainly at a premium as both sides managed just a try apiece going into halftime.

The Bulldogs were first to score in the 18th minute through fullback Milla Swain’s individual brilliance from 40 metres out, busting through a handful of tacklers and stepping past her opposing number to lead 4-0.

Five minutes before the main break the Titans found themselves only metres from the try-line with No.14 Chloe Siverwright capitalising and sneaking through from dummy-half (4-4).

Play began to open up in the second half and Northern Rivers five-eighth Elsie Wilkinson took advantage with a dummy to slice through and score to put the Titans 8-4 ahead.

But with the rain teeming down again with 15 minutes left, the Bulldogs managed to find a way to a 12-8 win courtesy of tries from centre Keira Donovan and winger Belle Cockeram.

Tigers race away with win to make second-straight Grand Final

The Northern Tigers exacted some revenge with today’s Westpac Regional Lisa Fiaola Cup Semi-final win, running away with a 28-12 victory over last year’s Grand Final opponents and eventual 2024 Premiers, the Western Rams.

While the scores at halftime remained locked at 6-6, the Tigers found another gear with four more four-pointers to the Rams’ one in the second half – prop Jayda Cohen finishing with a hat-trick.

A crash play for Cohen saw the Tigers draw first blood, before the Rams hit back through No.14 Matilda Harper muscling over the line from dummy-half.

The Rams led early in the second half when halfback-captain Millah Hutchins scored off her own grubber kick, then the Tigers responded as centre Mia Cloake found open pasture from her own half before scoring two plays later to trail 12-10.

Cohen’s second try put the Tigers back in front and they never lost the lead from there, with Cloake’s second successful conversion putting them up 16-12.

They pushed further ahead when Cohen found a gap off an inside ball from halfway and offloaded for Mikayla Skinner to score, then the prop deservedly put the finishing touch on the 28-12 win with her third try for match.

Cloake also ended up with three from five off the boot.

Laurie Daley Cup Semi-finals

Dragons too strong in the end for valiant Knights outfit

A strong second half from Illawarra South Coast saw the Dragons march through to the SLE Laurie Daley Cup Grand Final with a 31-18 win over the Newcastle Maitland Region Knights.

Dragons skipper Archie Wheeler opened proceedings in the 11th minute when he dived on a well-placed grubber from five-eighth Beau Baldock.

Followed at the 25-minute mark by winger Jack Coster also pouncing on a grubber in the right corner – this time off the boot of No.1 Jack Talbott.

The fullback landed both conversions to lead 12-0.

The Knights weren’t to be held scoreless even with five minutes left, working their way into attacking territory before Fletcher O’Doherty crashed over the line from Diesel Hagan’s flat pass.

The hooker played another key role just shy of the break when Hagan sent bench forward Ethan Jarmain steaming through under the sticks for a try.

All of a sudden, along with Hagan’s pair of conversions, the scores were levelled 12-all at halftime.

The home side had all the running to start the second half, scoring three tries unanswered.

The first came through Talbott accelerating into a tackle from 10 metres out and carrying four Knights with him,

Soon followed by Baldock’s penalty tap from close range catching the defence napping, then Wheeler toeing through a Knights knock-on and touching down for his second (30).

While the Knights gave themselves some hope when centre Kyran Blair crossed with nine minutes remaining, it was Talbott who had the final say with a late field goal to close out the Dragons’ 31-18 win and secure their first Grand Final appearance since 2023.

Tigers snare victory over Bulldogs in closely fought battle

In the later Semi-final it was Macarthur Wests Tigers who came out top in a closely fought 18-12 win against North Coast Bulldogs at Port Macquarie Regional Stadium.

Slippery conditions were on the cards from the opening exchanges as both sides ended the first half with a try each.

The first try came within three minutes via Tigers second-rower Teancam Epati with winger Aidan Richards adding the extras, then the Bulldogs found the scoreboard in the 14th minute through their crafty five-eighth Rielly Laverty.

An unsuccessful conversion from Toby Batten saw the Tigers take 6-4 lead to the halftime break.

Seven minutes into the second half Bulldogs winger Aidan Langham scored to put the hosts in the lead.

Batten’s conversion, and penalty goal two minutes later, extended their lead to 12-6.

Macarthur returned serve when Richards scored in the 53rd minute, then centre Patrick Toomalatai followed up with a try of his own in the 60th.

Richards continued his 100 percent conversion rate to lead 18-12 as the Tigers held on for a place in the Grand Final.

Andrew Johns Cup

Titans leave it late to mark return to Grand Final stage

A late try from prop Nixon O’Connor has helped the Northern River Titans to their first SLE Andrew Johns Cup Grand Final appearance in two seasons with a 20-14 win over Illawarra South Coast Dragons.

The Titans, who last held the Johns Cup in 2022, will head to the decider once again after turning around a 10-4 halftime deficit, regaining the lead in the dying minutes and hanging on for the victory.

The Dragons looked like joining their Laurie Daley Cup counterparts on Grand Final day after two early tries to winger Kruz Efaraimo and back-rower Preston Ruiz, but the Titans stayed in the game when No.11 Max Palmer barged over the try-line after 18 minutes (10-4).

Northern Rivers struck first in the second half with a right-side shift for fullback Jaylon Russell to score, then again with an acrobatic finish from winger Julean Woods (14-10).

The home side tied things up when centre Hunter Berghuis crossed in the 48th minute, but O’Connor and the Titans took their chance 10 minutes later when the prop powered past the Dragons’ defence to score beside the uprights.

Daniel Russell added the two points, which was enough seal the 20-14 win.

Flying start sets the Knights to victory

The Newcastle Maitland Region Knights exploded out of the blocks with two tries in five minutes as they defeated Macarthur Wests Tigers 22-18 at Cessnock Sportsground, punching their ticket to the 2025 SLE Andrew Johns Cup Grand Final.

Hooker Chase Firman began the try-scoring with a burrow under the posts from dummy-half, with fullback Rico Elers adding to the scoresheet on the right edge from close range.

Firman scored a second in the 21st minute, as five-eighth Ty Ennis converted two from three for a commanding 16-0 lead at halftime.

Tigers fullback Llanden Granger scored the visitors’ first points early in the second half, before back-rower Koby Harvey crossed for a fourth Knights try in the 46th minute (22-6).

In the final 10 minutes the Tigers did their best to fight back with four-pointers through winger Sebastian Taylor and prop Noah Vaotangi, yet it wasn’t enough to overcome a strong start by the Knights.

Click here for results from the Westpac Regional Lisa Fiaola Cup.   

Click here for results from the SLE Laurie Daley Cup.

Click here for results from the SLE Andrew Johns Cup.

Regional Junior Reps Semi-finals

Mixed Results at Home for the Eels

Sea Eagles Pathways Wrap Rnd 4

A win and a loss for male junior rep Sharks

Round 4 results

2025 NSWRL Lisa Fioala Cup Rnd 4 results, ladder & top try scorers

2025 NSWRL Tarsha Gale Cup Rnd 4 results, ladder & top try scorers

2025 NSWRL SG Ball Cup Rnd 4 results, ladder & top try scorers

2025 NSWRL Harold Matthews Cup Rnd 4 results, ladder & top try scorers

2025 NSWRL Laurie Daley Cup Rnd 3 results, ladder & top try scorers

2025 NSWRL Andrew Johns Cup Rnd 3 results, ladder & top try scorers

Wests Tigers rnd 2 report

Manly Junior reps wrap rnd 2

SG Ball Cup Rnd 2 Full Results, Ladder & Player Stat’s

Harold Matthews Cup Rnd 2 Full Results, Ladder & Player Stat’s

Tarsha Gale Cup Rnd 2 Full Results, Ladder & Player Stat’s

Lisa Fiola Cup Rnd 2 Full Results, Ladder & Player Stat’s

Tarsha Gale cup Rnd 1 team lists

SG Ball Rnd 1 team lists

The post Regional Junior Reps Semi-finals appeared first on OurFootyTeam.

2025 Andrew Johns Cup Round 6 Draw

23/03/2025 14 - 20 N/A Ill SC Dragons vs Titans
23/03/2025 22 - 18 N/A NRM Knights vs M Wests Tigers

Round 6 Ladder

2025 Andrew Johns Cup Round 6 Ladder

Pos	Team	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	Pts
1	Ill SC Dragons	6	5	0	1	166	66	100	10
2	NRM Knights	6	5	0	1	125	108	17	10
3	M Wests Tigers	6	4	0	2	176	108	68	8
4	Titans	6	4	0	2	148	88	60	8
5	CC Roosters	5	3	0	2	134	101	33	6
6	NR Tigers	5	2	1	2	66	114	-48	5
7	Colts	5	2	0	3	86	128	-42	4
8	Rams	5	1	0	4	118	154	-36	2
9	NC Bulldogs	5	0	1	4	92	160	-68	1
10	Bulls	5	0	0	5	44	128	-84	0

Top Point Scorers