Newcastle Sport

Toronto have accounted for Merewether in round four of Newcastle Cricket at Townsen Oval. The visitors were first in – easily finding the boundary on their way to 189 runs. Their bowlers then handled the rest, Merewether all out for for 144. In other games, Uni beat the defending premiers and Hamilton defeated Belmont. Wins also to Wallsend, Charlestown and Cardiff. (VISION ONLY)

NPL Golden Boot Sam Walker was the big winner at the Northern New South Wales end-of-season awards, claiming the inaugural Graham Jennings medal. Edgeworth’s Damien Zane was again named coach of the year. New Lambton claimed both the player and coach accolades in the WPL – via Tara Andrews and Keelan Hamilton. (VISION ONLY)

The Jets have confirmed Brazilian import Jair will start against the Phoenix tomorrow afternoon. Ahead of the game, Mitchell Hughes sat down with coach Ernie Merrick and his wife Kerry, to talk about their first year in the Hunter, and Ernie’s reaction to a now world-famous goal.

Brazil’s Gabriel Medina has one hand on surfing’s world title after another dominant day at the latest event in Portugal. Close friend and football superstar Neymar was in his corner, but Medina was given a fright by Newcastle wildcard Ryan Callinan – who led for most of their round three match-up, before being penalised for interference when the pair became tangled up paddling for a wave. World number two Filipe Toledo was a shock casualty overnight, meaning if Medina wins the event, and Aussie Julian Wilson fails to reach the semi-finals, the title will be his. Otherwise it’ll be decided at Hawaii’s famed Pipeline. (VISION ONLY)

Meanwhile the Newcastle Jets have begun the journey to Wellington for their season-opener. And after a testing pre-season that’s taken them all over the world, it’s no surprise the players are counting down the hours until kick-off. Glen Moss is desperate to impress against his former club, and lock-down the starting goal-keeper role this season. (AUDIO IN PARTS)

To the latest in our Newcastle Jets player profiles, as we get to know the team away from the field. For Mitch Austin, there is no break from football, he lives and breathes the sport more than any of his team mates.

Former Newcastle Breakers and Socceroos’ player Darren Stewart has passed away, aged 52. Stewart played 23 games for the Breakers during the early 1990s, along with three games for the national side. He was also successful in Asia, becoming the first Australian to win the Malaysia FA Cup in 1998, before moving into sports management. The Jets will wear black armbands in memory of the defender in their round one clash this weekend. (VISION ONLY)

Ernie Merrick has been trying to toughen up the Jets, ahead of their round one clash with the Phoenix across the Tasman. And he’s not messing around – bringing in a former kickboxing champion to help him do it.

The Jets’ W-League squad is now complete, with the return of goalkeeper Britt Eckerstrom. And the American believes, after getting match time for US runners-up Portland, she can take her game to a new level. Eckerstrom was instrumental for the Jets last season, playing in all 13 of their matches. The W-League kicks off in seven days.

Newcastle Supercars driver Aaren Russell has settled into life on the Gold Coast, ahead of this weekend’s enduro round, taking on the Titans in a game of beach volleyball. It was the perfect way for the co-driver to relax ahead of the 600, coming back into the team to support Andre Heimgartner. Practice begins tomorrow – as for the volleyball match, the honours were shared. (AUDIO IN PARTS)