The Cessnock Goannas will miss their next two games and Maitland Pickers their round 14 fixture on July 10 against Lakes United because of Covid-19 restrictions placed on the Central Coast.
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Games against Central Coast teams Wyong Roos and The Entrance have been cancelled as have those against Lakes United, who have a large proportion of their players living in the area.
The draw was finalised on Tuesday morning with the situation still fluid if there are any areas impacted by stay-at-home orders.
Central Coast players will be precluded from training as well, however, the Newcastle and Hunter teams will continue to train under Covid restrictions over the next two weeks,
Those games that do proceed will be under Covid restrictions including a maximum 50 per cent cap on crowds and mandatory face masks to be worn by fans.
Cessnock will be the hardest hit club outside the Central Coast with its round 13 home game against Lakes United this Saturday and away game against Wyong in round 14 both cancelled.
Cessnock's reserve grade and under-19 fixtures on Saturday will go ahead. The Ladies League Tag team will play at Stroud on Saturday and D-grade men play at Glendale on Friday night.
The decision in conjunction with the NSW Rugby League applies to Maitland's round 14 game against Lakes United at the Maitland Sportsground on Saturday, July 10, despite the lockdown planned to be lifted on July 9.
It was felt it was unfair to ask teams to play without training for two weeks.
The Pickers game against South Newcastle at Townson Oval on Sunday has been given the go ahead.
Newcastle RL chief executive officer Charlie Haggett said any cancellations of games would apply to the next two rounds, with both teams awarded one point for a draw and an averaged out for and against.
The Kurri Kurri Bulldogs will be in action on Saturday against Western Suburbs at Harker Oval.
Haggett said pushing the finals back and possible rescheduling were considered but the decision to proceed with Covid draws and allow non-affected games to proceed was the best compromise.
"It allows us to play at least two games a week and keep the competition going in that sense," he said.
Speaking before the expected fixture cancellations were officially confirmed, Maitland Pickers coach Matt Lantry said the cancellation of the Lakes game may work in the Pickers favour.
Lantry said the Pickers had been forced to play a catch-up game against Kurri Kurri, from round one, during last week's representative game break for the rest of the competiton.
"Missing the break on the weekend means we have to play from the start to the finish of the season without a break," he said.
"I think that weekend off will work in our favour with the boys being able to refresh both physically from niggling injuries and mentally.."
