The Local Sports Wrap

VALE NEALE DANIHER

The Hawks hosted the Marlins in Nelson Bay, as Round 6 escaped the rain to see 3/4 fixtures go ahead.

2 winless sides go head to head in the Central Coast Derby. 

The AFLHCC stacked it's best players to take on the AFL South Coast at Manuka Oval in Canberra on the weekend.

2025 Qualifying Final Rematch gets taken to another gear in Round 4, with all winning margins adding to a mere 64 points. Oliver Croft with the latest.

Oliver Croft reports on Round 3, ANZAC Day, fixtures. 

ANZAC Day stands as one of the most powerful and meaningful days on the Australian calendar. It’s a moment where we pause and reflect on the mateship, courage, and endurance of the men and women who shaped the life we’re lucky enough to live today. It’s A day where the stories of the past echo into the present, grounding us in gratitude, pride, and respect—so that what they gave is never forgotten, and what they stood for continues to live on in all of us. Here at AFL Hunter Central Coast, we play our own small but significant part in that tradition. For seven years now, the Warners Bay Bulldogs and Cardiff Hawks have met on ANZAC Day—and it’s become something special, exciting and memorable.

Oliver Croft reports on the local AFL matches for Round 2.

Round 1 of the AFL Hunter Central Coast season got underway on Saturday, with all five senior divisions returning to action in an exciting opening weekend. The season officially launched on Friday night with a historic Women’s Plate clash, as the University of Newcastle Seahorses made their debut against Newcastle City, becoming the league’s 14th senior club. It was a tough initiation for the newcomers, going down by 73 points, while their men’s side also fell short in the Men’s Shield, defeated by 46. Across the rest of the competition, Cup football returned in style, with the Bombers, Bulldogs and Blues claiming wins in the men’s, while the Bombers, Marlins and Blues were victorious in the women’s competition.

Over the off season period the AFL Hunter Central Coast came to a decision that the 2026 season will see the reintroduction of the Black Diamond Men’s Shield competition following a short hiatus. The return of the Shield competition allows for clubs to introduce new players to the game, but also offers an competitive atmosphere for developing footballers.

Big News from over the Easter long weekend with he AFL Hunter Central Coast have confirming their Round 3 ANZAC Day Fixtures. The annual marquee blockbuster between the Cardiff Hawks and Warners Bay Bulldogs has been locked in for 3/15PM on the 25th of April once again, with the Bulldogs playing Host at Feighan Oval. Both the Men’s and Women’s Cup will play. The biggest news however, is coming from down the Central Coast where the Killarney Vale Bombers and Bateau Bay Blues will make history, playing against each other on ANZAC Day for the first time in the AFLHCC’s 26 Year History. Killarney Vale have marked the occasion with a specially designed jersey that feature poppies blooming along the red sash. The Men’s Cup will kick off at 12PM, with the Women’s Cup straight after at Adelaide Street Oval in Killarney Vale. All other fixtures will be played the week after on the 2nd of May. That’s the latest in AFL Hunter Central Coast News.

The AFL Hunter Central Coast announced their 14th team joining the competition this season.  Oliver Croft reports on the details as the University Australian Rules Football Club is established.

After a long summer of cricket, the stage was set for the Grand Final between the Merewether Lions and Waterboard Wests. Merewether batted first and got off to a strong start, led by Leigh Harris, who was named Player of the Final with a brilliant 71 runs off 78 deliveries. The Lions went on to post 204 from their 40 overs. Waterboard struggled to build momentum, despite a late effort from captain Jacob Rippon, who top scored with 20 runs. Merewether then found another gear with the ball, sealing victory and being crowned the 2025–2026 Suburban Districts Division One premiers by 117 runs.

Hunter Newsroom Sports Reporter Oliver Croft is on the move for exclusive coverage of the 2026 Newcastle Falcons Basketball Season Launch. Featuring interviews with the new biggest signings, returning assets, and the Men's and Women's Coaches, 2NURFM has all your insights to the 2026 Basketball Season.  The Falcons first game of the season is March 28th at home, vs the North Bears. Read more and see the video.

The Summer of Cricket is drawing to a very quick close, as the Division 1 Elimination Finals lit up the local grounds of Newcastle. The fixtures included Merewether VS Port Stephens, and the Waterboard Wests VS Cardiff Boolaroo. For two teams? Next stop; the Grand Final. 

Oliver Croft catches up with Steven Grimshaw after he and his team snapped a 7 game loosing streak to finish off their season and finals favourites Maryland Fletcher.

Oliver Croft reports on Division 1 games in Newcastle District Cricket as the final round of the home and away season finishes, and Finals begin next weekend. 

Round 19 Ripper! Cardiff Boolaroo host Waterboard in what promises a fixture with plenty of flair, and a preview for finals just around the corner. 

Warners Bay had 3 from 3 at the start of the summer, but now find themselves in a dramatic 7th place. Merewether are flying, and have no issues in taking the win over the men in maroon.

Merewether have had just two losses this season and are looking sharp for finals. Can they step over the struggling Journeymen Wests, or do the Wests hold on to grind it out in a Connolly Park classic?

Cardiff Boolaroo are looking primed for a finals birth, but the Journeymen Wests stand firm in their way. But can their batting order handle the pressure of the Cardiff bowling attack?

After an Australia Day long weekend, what seemed like an away fixture with everything going perfect for the Port Stephens Pythons, Maryland Fletcher tackled back the momentum from the bowling wrist of Ryan Reedman.

The Gardens Falcons are flying nicely, but the Merewether Lions are top of the table and provide a challenge for all teams. Round 13 ended in yet another dominant win for Merewether. 

Warners Bay had much to prove...but did they get across the line to prove it? Captain Steve Grimshaw also reveals his Warners Bay side's key to success.

Maryland. A team everyone is starting to fear. Dominance is becoming and theme, and they look ready for white ball finals. Who came out on top for the Maryland and Waterboard Derby?

Warners Bay has had 3 games of abandoned cricket, and 1 loss 2 weeks ago. As they return to their  home wicket to pick themselves up the ladder, chase finals and gain some momentum, the Waterboard Wests await, ready to win and overtake them on the ladder? Young gun Nathan Pearson steps to the crease, but will it be enough to hold off the Wests?

Division 1 had their fixtures washed out on the weekend, but 2NURFM have a very special report regarding the City of Newcastle Summer Bash, the largest Premier T20 competition in the NSW.

The Pythons pull off the upset of the year in Round 6, taking down Cardiff Boolaroo in style. Looking like the 7th placed underdogs, the Pythons wrap up a second consecutive victory in Division 1.

Waterboard Wests fall short to a monumental total set by Cardiff Boolaroo, in a massive run chase. 

Rain reigns supreme, but which team reigns the ladder?

Division 1 Newcastle District Cricket: The Gardens Falcons hosted Maryland Fletcher in a desperate bid for their first win of the season. Maryland was on the front foot figuratively and literally as they pulled apart the Gardens' batting attack. Champion bowlers and batsmen alike rose to the task as asked, before the better team came out on top.

  The jungle animals were tussling hard as the Port Stephens Pythons and Merewether Lions battled it out in Round 2. Port Stephens were chasing their first win as Merewether looked to take an away fixtured win.

  The Summer of Cricket Officially kicked off on Saturday the 11th, and 2NURFM will have all your coverage and updates from Division 1. Oliver Croft starts things off with an exciting report as the Wests host Warners Bay in a classic match-up.