PENALTY counts haven’t only been concerning NRL coaches this season, with some Newcastle Rugby League mentors also noticing a sharp increase of whistle blowing at local games in 2018.
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There were a combined 56 penalties in two second-round fixtures, Central versus Macquarie and Lakes against Western Suburbs.
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Followed up the next weekend with 34 noted infringements between Wests and Cessnock, combined with a further 20 errors for a total of 54 stoppages across 80 minutes.
Referees, now under the guidance of NSW Rugby League officials, met with clubs and coaches before the opening round.
* CENTRAL forward Matt Baker looks set for a two-month stint on the sideline after being recently diagnosed with a broken hand.
The injury was sustained in the Butcher Boys’ 26-16 win over previously unbeaten Kurri Kurri at St John Oval on May 13. Baker, who also missed a chunk of last year following a high tackle at the same ground almost 12 months ago, has since had surgery to repair ligaments.
Luke Harragon will be Baker’s replacement against Lakes at Cahill Oval on Saturday afternoon.
* BETTER news on the casualty front for Central utility Jarrod Nott, who will undergo a fitness test at training this week ahead of the club’s fifth-round encounter despite limping from the field last start.
* FUTURES round pops up for the second time this season with St John Oval hosting back-to-back under-19 fixtures on Friday night. The other two games take place on Saturday.
* NSW Country Championship finals will be held at Kirkham Park, Camden, on Saturday.
Defending champions Monaro meet Northern Rivers in the under-23 decider (12:30pm) while Central Coast Roosters clash with GSR Wests Tigers in the ladies league tag showdown (11am).
* HATS, or helmets, off to Cessnock Goannas product Hayden Yates who has signed to play American football with Concordia University in Wisconsin. He leaves for the US in July.
