NELSON Bay’s first grade rugby team has sent an ominous warning to premiership rivals in the 2026 Hunter Suburban Rugby Presidents Cup competition. The revitalised Gropers claimed bragging rights and stamped themselves genuine title contenders when they toppled reigning premiers Scone Brumbies 24-19 in their top- of-the-table clash last Saturday on home turf at Bill […]

THEY don’t toil harder than Nelson Bay first-grade rugby lock forward Ronan O’Connell. In one of his finest performances of the Hunter Suburban season, the tireless number eight inspired the Gropers to an important 29-22 victory over Muswellbrook Heelers last Saturday at Highbrook Park. The tough-tackling and power-running O’Connell produced a non-stop display as the […]

NELSON Bay Marlins first-grade men’s AFL team has confirmed its finals credentials with another dominant victory in the Hunter Central Coast Black Diamond Senior Men’s Cup. The rejuvenated Marlins remain entrenched in the top four after slamming Wyong Lakes Magpies 107-53 last Saturday at the Central Coast Regional Sporting Complex. Skilful forwards Billy Barton, Mitchell […]

A CHARMING picturesque country town in the Hunter region has put itself on the netball sporting map. Historic Dungog is famous for producing sporting sons like legendary Test cricketer Doug Walters, triple equestrian Olympian Kevin Bacon, NSW rugby league forward Henry “Tarzan” Porter who won premierships with Newtown and Canterbury-Bankstown, and current South Sydney colt […]

PORT Stephens Power senior women’s AFL team had plenty of motivation when they laced up their boots for action at Medowie’s Ferodale Oval last weekend. Tim Drough’s rejuvenated charges celebrated Joey’s Round – in honour of Joseph Potter and all babies born sleeping – by raising awareness and support for Bears of Hope Pregnancy & […]

RAYMOND Terrace golden girl Olivia Higgins has secured her immediate future after inking a one-year extension with the Newcastle Knights NRL Women’s rugby league team. In a huge boost for the club, the skillful State of Origin and Jillaroos hooker will remain with the Knights until the end of the 2027 season. The deal was […]

MIDFIELD dynamo Jenny Rojas is fast-developing into an on-field talisman for Port Stephens Power in the AFL Hunter Central Coast Black Diamond Senior Women’s Plate competition. The 17-year-old warrior might be one of the youngest competitors in the 2026 series but in recent fixtures has shown a maturity that belies her years. Rojas played a […]

NORTHERN Hawks’ first-grade rugby league team continues to walk a Newcastle Rugby League Denton Engineering Cup finals tightrope. Steve Simpson’s young charges are bracing themselves for a challenging three week assignment in a bid to qualify for the 2026 finals series. The Entrance Tigers dented the Hawks’ top five hopes after posting an 18-14 victory […]

SHOAL Bay schoolgirl Zoe Smith has taken another giant step on her exciting rugby journey. The talented Hunter Sports High School student covered herself in glory at the Australian Schools and Junior Rugby Championships last week on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast – helping the NSW under-16s All Schools women’s rugby team bring home the Sevens national […]

PORT Stephens netball is proven competitive and prosperous after three local associations covered themselves in glory at the recent Netball NSW HART State Junior Championships in Sydney. In a huge boon for the region, the Nelson Bay under-12s, Dungog under-12s and Port Stephens under-14s received Blue Patches for finishing runners up in their respective Division […]