After a week of uncertainty about the future of Cessnock coach Todd Edwards, the news from the first week of August is all good.

The popular Edwards is staying the course at the club in 2020 and his building-side powered home in the second half to beat Lakes United 36-16 at Cahill Oval on Sunday.

The win lifts the Goannas up to fourth spot on the Newcastle RL ladder, equal on 13 points with Central Newcastle who are fifth.

They are one point ahead of the Kurri Kurri Bulldogs and one point behind the Maitland Pickers, but after another trip to take on Lakes this Sunday they face top two sides Western Suburbs and South Newcastle in the final two rounds before the finals.

Doubles to Nic Lawrence and Harry O'Brien and singles to Paul Carter and Isaiah Cooper-Tetevano put Lakes to the sword in a strong half-time performance after leading 12-10 at the break.

"The boys had a real go, it was a good performance," Edwards said.

"Lakes were pretty desperate to stay in the hunt for finals. They were up and the scorecard didn't really reflect how close it was.

"We had to work very hard to get what we got.

"It was good to see. We're starting to get our numbers back, we've got a few still missing, but they really put in.

"If we couldn't get up for that we probably didn't deserve to when the new comp (finals) comes in a month."

Edwards said facing Lakes at Cahill Oval for the second week in a row was a unique and extremely hard challenge.

"It's extremely rare to play the same opponent at the same venue seven days apart so we've got to get some stuff right and that's what we'll be working on at training this week," he said.

"Getting in the right mindset and going down there and doing it again, that's going to be the battle.

"It's between the ears.

"They are a dangerous footy team now because they have no pressure on them. All the pressure is on us, they'll have a rip.

"If we get the cash we are third, but we've got the toughest run home with Wests at home and Souths down there.

"But we're just concentrating on Lakes at the moment. I know them very well, they are a very proud football club and they won't give us an inch.

"If we get it done it gives us hope to play in the new comp when it kicks off with finals."