They have been selected from across the Saints’ eight junior teams and fall into three Newcastle Australian Football squads.

The under 13s proved to be the most prolific for Maitland with six players included – Brendan Kiesey, Rex Greaves, Dion Graham, Nathan Greaves, Brandt Job and Ky Lowrey.

The under 12s and under 16s feature two players each with Joel Schneeberger and Riley Stevens in the younger age group while Ryan Merrick and Hayden Taylor fall into the eldest junior division.

Games for all Newcastle teams commence this Sunday with the Challenge Cup at Newcastle No.1 Sportsground. 

The following Saturday, July 6, at the same venue, the under 16s play the curtain-raiser for the NEAFL clash between the Sydney Swans’ reserves and Eastklake before taking part in the Greater Sydney Juniors carnival in Manly from July 10.

The equivalent carnivals for under 14s and under 13s will take place at the same venue on July 11 and 12 respectively.

And the under 12s will attempt to clinch the Invitational Shield on July 7.

Returning Newcastle representative Ryan Merrick said he was looking forward to the challenge of the upcoming state championships.

“It is a big competition against all the big city teams,” Merrick said.

“But we have been training hard and working hard to get it all going.”