SOUTHS WIN: The Lions have claimed their second premiership in three years, a try on the bell helping them defeat Lakes 30 – 18 at McDonald Jones Stadium.
EXTENDED INTERVIEWS
Only minutes remaining in the 2018 Newcastle Rugby League Grand Final and it’s Souths with the ascendancy, leading 24 – 18.
Lakes pushing Souths all the way in the decider, the tiring lions defense just able to hold on.
SOUTHS TRY: The Lions are over again, they take the lead thanks to a strong run one of the ruck. Score 24 – 18.
10 MINUTES TO GO – ALL LOCKED UP: We’re locked up again, Lakes with a penalty – score 18 all.
SOUTHS GO THE LEAD: A long range penalty and the Lions take the lead, now in front 18 – 16.
SOUTHS TRY: We’re locked up again at McDonald Jones Stadium, Joey Morris scrambles over from short range. The kick is successful and it’s 16 all.
LAKES TRY: The Seagulls go to the front thanks to Nick Glohe, the conversation shaves the inside of the upright and the score goes to 16 – 10.
SECOND HALF – We’re back underway at McDonald Jones Stadium. Jason Keelan goes close, only to drop the ball over the line. Lachlan Walmsley hasn’t returned from the sheds, he’s been ruled out with concussion.
HALF-TIME – It’s Lakes who go to the break with the lead, both sides with two tries in the first half, a penalty goal with around 5 minutes to go the only difference. Lakes 10 lead Souths 8.
The @south_newcastle Lions miss a penalty on the stroke of half time to make it 10-8 at the break to @lakesunitedrlfc in the @Newcastle_RL grand final. @nbnnews pic.twitter.com/XPQXFBlnAq
— Mitchell Hughes (@mitchhughesnbn) September 23, 2018
A penalty in front for Lakes, and Toa Mata’Afa makes no mistake. The Seagulls go to the lead. Score 10 – 8.
SOUTHS TRY: The momentum swings again, this time it’s the Lions who go over. A cut-out ball from Jason Keelan sets up Tom Cronan. The kick again waved away, scores locked at 8 all.
LAKES TRY: End to end play at McDonald Jones Stadium and Lakes are over again, this time courtesy of Matt Craig. Kick unsuccessful. Score 8 – 4.
SOUTHS TRY: Souths bounce straight back, Lachlan Walmsley goes 25 metres from dummy half to score. The kick from Jason Keelan goes just wide. Scores locked at 4 all.
The Seagulls dominating the early stages, a missed penalty goal and the score remains 4 – 0.
LAKES TRY: Lakes strike first, a break from Kyle Kenndey puts the seagulls within a metre of the line before Jack Kelly cleans up the scraps and dives over. Kick unsuccessful.
KICK-OFF – We’re underway at McDonald Jones Stadium, and Lakes will have first use of the football. The Seagulls running to the northern end of the ground.
Almost ready for a start in the @Newcastle_RL grand final between @lakesunitedrlfc and @south_newcastle at @MJStadium. @nbnnews pic.twitter.com/dN2MVCmi14
— Mitchell Hughes (@mitchhughesnbn) September 23, 2018
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Excitement is building ahead of this afternoon’s Newcastle Rugby League decider.
A crowd of more than 5,000 is expected at McDonald Jones Stadium for the clash between the South Newcastle Lions and Lakes United.
Both teams go into the grand final with 11 premierships, the Lions last in 2016 when they beat Macquarie, while Lakes last took home the trophy in 2015.
The game also marks 30 years since the teams last met in the big dance, the 1988 decider won by the Lions 29-18.
Kick-off is expected just after 3.30pm.
HOW THE TEAMS LINE UP
South Newcastle
1. Lachlan Walmsley
2. Harry Van Dartel
3. Henry Penn
4. Tom Cronan
5. Jarrad Flanagan
6. Ryan Glanville (c)
7. Jason Keelan
8. Cameron King
9. Joey Morris
10. Luke Higgins
11. Jake Lawrence
12. Daniel Martine
14. Connor Browne
Reserves
15. Ofa Manuofetoa
16. Scott Matthews
17. Faitotoa Faitotoa
18. Lewis Schnieder
Lakes United
1. Kyle Kennedy
2. Toa Mata’Afa
3. Josh Charles
4. Jacob Gagai
5. Matt Craig
6. Jack Kelly
7. Nick Newman
8. Roman Feluleai
9. Casey Burgess
10. Kodie Charles
11. Vitale Rociqa
12. Nick Glohe
13. Shaun Boss (c)
Reserves
14. Daniel Peck
16. Cody Robbins
17. Blake Smith
19. Ben Talty
Referee: Louis Matheson
EARLIER RESULTS
Reserve Grade – Macquarie Scorpions 34 defeated Central Newcastle 10
Open Grade – South Newcastle 22 defeated Macquarie Scorpions 6
Under 19’s – Maitland 13 defeated Wests 6
Ladies League Tag – Wests 14 defeated South Newcastle 8
WATCH: WESTS CLAIM LADIES LEAGUE TAG DECIDER
