15 October 2024

Maitland Pickers Double Win

Ms JENNY AITCHISON (Maitland—Minister for Regional Transport and Roads)—Congratulations to the Maitland Pickers Rugby League Club on their minor and major premiership success in 2024. The Pickers women's team will go down in history as the inaugural winners of the Tooheys Newcastle Rugby League Women's Premiership, downing Lakes United 16-10. The team were also minor premiers. The men's team made history, claiming their third consecutive Denton Engineering Cup with a 24-4 victory over the Central Newcastle Butcher Boys. The side became just the seventh team to secure a hat-trick of titles in the competition's 115 years. The Pickers men also won reserve grade, congratulations! Matthew Soper-Lawler and Brooke Carter both named Player's Player of the Year, in recognition of their on-field performances, at the recent Newcastle Rugby League Awards. Matthew Soper-Lawler and Sam Anderson were named in the Team of the Year, Russell Grigg won Women's Coach of the Year, James Bradley won Try of the Year and the Pickers Club also were named Club Champions. Congratulations to the Pickers on an outstanding year in 2024.