4 days Ago By Max McKinney
FOUR players have been suspended after their first games for new clubs in Newcastle Rugby League's opening round on Saturday. Login or signup to continue reading Former NRL player Albert Kelly, who made a competition return off the bench for Cessnock, was hit with a one-game ban for dangerous contact in the Goannas' 20-10 win over Wyong. Cessnock have the bye in round two, meaning Kelly will have to sit out their round-three clash against Macquarie at home on Anzac Day.
Connor Kirkwood also copped a week for the same charge turning out for his new club The Entrance , who came from behind to beat Central 22-18. The rugged forward will miss the Tigers' trip to Harker Oval this Friday to face Wests. After Kurri Kurri's thrilling 38-20 win over Northern Hawks in the opening match of Magic Round at No.
1 Sportsground, which ended a more than 1000-day losing streak , Hawks playmaker Jarom Haines accepted a one-game ban for a careless high tackle. Haines started at halfback in his maiden appearance for the Hawks and will be a big loss as they aim to bounce back in their first match at home against South Newcastle on Friday. Prop Viko Puiluvea was also suspended for a week for dangerous contact.
Puiluvea was playing his first game for Lakes United , who lost to Wests 22-6. They'll now be without the 2022 Queensland Cup winner when they venture to Kurri Kurri on Thursday night. That 8.
30pm match is one of two on Thursday. Central also host Wyong at St John Oval from 7.30pm.
All three Good Friday games are at 3pm. Macquaire, who lost to South Newcastle 34-12, host three-time premiers Maitland in the other Friday match at Lyall Peacock Field. Maitland had the bye in round one.
Kyle Kingston (Lakes), Cody Boyle (Wyong), Marcus Hitchcock (South Newcastle) and Randall Briggs (Macquarie) all received warnings for grade-one charges in round one. READ MORE : The Herald's 2025 Newcastle Rugby League season preview Max McKinney is a sports reporter with the Newcastle Herald. He previously worked in news, covering mainly local government and transport.
Max mostly reports on the Newcastle Knights, but also covers a mix of local sport. Max McKinney is a sports reporter with the Newcastle Herald. He previously worked in news, covering mainly local government and transport.
Max mostly reports on the Newcastle Knights, but also covers a mix of local sport. Daily Today's top stories curated by our news team. Also includes evening update.
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