The Maitland Pickers will face Macquarie Scorpions and last year's bogey side Central Newcastle three time in the 2019 Newcastle Rugby League season.
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In another vote of confidence in the new Maitland Sportsground the venue will host a Newcastle Rebels triple-header on the May 11 representative football weekend.
The Pickers could be in for an explosive start to the season when they travel to take on Cessnock in round one.
Both clashes between the two teams ended with fights and players being sent off and the Goannas will be after a big start after their 36-0 drubbing at Maitland to open 2018.
The Pickers follow their Coalfields clash with home games against Western Suburbs and Central Newcastle before the representative game weekend.
Round four is another Coalfields Clash on the road with the Pickers taking on Kurri Kurri at The Graveyard on May 18.
Maitland’s return clashes at home against their Coalfields rivals are in round nine against Cessnock on June 22 and round 12 against Kurri on July 20.
The Goannas start their season with three home games with the Pickers followed by Central and then another big Coalfields clash against Kurri Kurri in round three on May 4.
Kurri Kurri Bulldogs kick off the season at home against Macquarie Scorpions, followed by away games against Wests and Cessnock, before they are back at home against the Pickers in round four on May 18.
The Newcastle Rebels are scheduled to meet the Sydney Ron Massey side at Maitland Sportsground on May 11. An under-20 Emerging Rebels and Newcastle ladies league tag squads are also expected to feature.
The ensuing NSWRL Pioneers and Queensland Rugby League Rangers encounter is scheduled for the weekend of June 29 and 30.
Cessnock has been drawn to play Lakes United (two away, one home) and Western Suburbs (two home, one away) three times this season after the ballot-style draw.
Kurri Kurri will play three games against South Newcastle (two home, one away) and Central (two away, one home). The Pickers have Central twice at home and one away, while they travel to Macquarie twice and host them once.
Newcastle RL chief executive officer Matt Harris said a ‘Magic Round’ remained on the table for 2020 and beyond despite clubs opting not to introduce the concept next year.
A first-grade only model of four matches played on the same day at the same venue, most likely No.2 Sportsground and Cessnock, was proposed with profits to be split between the eight district clubs and Newcastle RL.
“It’s definitely not off the table,” Harris said.
“The clubs were relatively open and supportive of the concept.
“The main concerns were around whether or not split profits from those days would make up for the loss of a home game and dropping two rounds of lower grades.
The 16-round season runs from April 13 to August 25. The 2019 decider is set for McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday, September 22.