September 1 - 30, 2026: Issue 658

 

The 2026 Season in Manly Warringah Junior Rugby League Clubs: A Grand Finals Celebratory Wrap

Mona Vale Raiders Under 18's Silver 2026 Premiers

Grand Finals in the Manly Warringah Junior Rugby League were played at Brookvale Oval over the weekend of August 29-30, with Family of League volunteers greeting fans at the gate. Family of League exists to ensure those most in need in the rugby league community can access financial, social and emotional support. The foundation is the charitable heart of rugby league, proudly caring for the everyday heroes who keep the game thriving at the grassroots.

After 15 rounds of games and 3 of finals across the Season and the support of a host of club volunteers, referees, groundstaff, coaches, trainers, managers, the players and their families across the four and a half months of training and games at home grounds and elsewhere, footy Season in the MWJRLF clubs has come to the awards and presentation part of the year.

Mona Vale Raiders ran their first A Grade side for decades in 2025, finishing 6th in the points ladder before making the Grand Final this year under coach David Heath, who explained earlier in the Season Under 21's Raiders players have also been competing in the A Grade side this year. The Raiders and their A-Grade coach are focussed on succession planning and developing skills. After this year's results they will be the ones to watch next season.

Mona Vale Raider's A Grade side make the Grand Final after a return to Gold Opens footy of just two years

Narrabeen Sharks, finished at 2 on points in 2025 and 3 in 2026. The club had so many A Grade players this year they had a team in the Bronze A Grade Division as well. Their Black Team's Coach, Mick Radisich, confirmed the Sharkies are also working to give everyone a run and develop the club through offering opportunities for everyone. Their younger teams also had a great Season with many making the Finals and Grand Finals.

However the Avalon Bulldogs, the 'Doggies' won back-to-back premierships - the second time they have done so in recent years having done the same over the 2016-2017 Seasons. Along with the backbone cohort that played in those Grand Finals, the Bulldogs have been joined by new and returning players who have excelled in other comps across Sydney and the Central Coast, bringing fresh skills and talent to their game day squads. 

All three local clubs ran Ladies Day, welcomed Life Members and Old Boys, and had their interclub cup games - the Beau Hewitt Cup between Narrabeen and Mona Vale, the Barrenjoey Cup between Avalon and the Raiders - to reaffirm the connections between the clubs. Although the 2016 Hybrid Match - a 'Battle of the Bends between Avalon Bulldogs and Newport Breakers' fusion of league and union which utterly confused us footy illiterate ones, hasn't seen a return, it illustrates the brotherhood and sisterhood across the codes in Pittwater; those who are volunteers, players or simply attendee members at rugby union games on Saturdays would be seen on Sundays at the A Grade matches in 2026. 

Avalon Bulldogs President Craig Schlitter and Mona Vale Raiders President Hamish Mclean with the Barrenjoey Cup at Hitchcock Park, the Doggies home ground

The growth of girls and women divisions in the sport, along with the rise of talent among the boys and men's divisions, has underlined the need for local facilities this year, and, in the case of the Mona Vale Raiders, the long called-for realisation of an actual clubhouse at Newport Oval for the Winter rugby league and Summer cricket rounds. 

All three Pittwater clubs have one eye the future, and are focussed on ensuring the next generation get to 'play footy' on grounds that meet that and have an opportunity to access facilities that are up to the standard they should be - once they actually exist. Pittwater's MP Jacqui Scruby launched a petition during the Season, calling on the NSW Government to reinstate grant programs that have run in the past to help fund upgrades, like the recent amenity upgrades to the Warringah Rats.

2026 Profiles for the three A Grade teams and their clubs provide a few insights into their journeys over the Season and their extra works and special event days - available in:

Avalon Bulldogs JRLFC: 2026 A Grade Team, President - Coach 

Mona Vale Raiders Junior Rugby League Club 2026 - PLUS a history of their homeground as an extra Raiders Celebration this Season, confirming the change rooms are decades old, are unsuitable for female players, and the work to secure a clubhouse, and shelter from the rain for guests, has also been a lengthy quest, so far unrealised: Newport Oval, Pittwater: Some History 

Narrabeen JRLFC's Brilliant 2026 Season: Two A-Grade Teams 

Pittwater Online 2026 MWJRLF Albums, with high res pictures from club celebrations this Season are available on the PON Flickr platform, and track the ball from run out until final bell as well some of the great volunteers, events, and the art playing footy showcases - a footy family where all are welcome and all belong.

PON 2026 Grand Final albums follow the same brief and are available in:

A Grade

There are a number of great local photographers capturing the action too. There's beautiful family stuff and great action recorded by Elle Hall of ellehallsportsphotography, Harry Geraghty's beaut shots in 'Shot by Geraghty', Lauren of GameDayMumNB has been all over every ground, as has the best moments captured in the videos by  sport_highlights_by_amy, along with Michael Mannington OAM of Community Photography. 

Michael has shared a gallery of photos at: gallery.communityphotography.org/p750951615 and a slideshow: gallery.communityphotography.org/p750951615/slideshow

All these great photographers present brilliant celebrations of community, sport and connectedness, and the Grand Finals. Check them out!

Just to make the final rounds is a record of a sustained effort by individual players, and, by Season end, a team that have become a group who made a journey together and learnt not just about the game but about themselves. Leading this is the A Grade Division.

The A-Grade cohort in community rugby league is the premier, highest-level senior competition run within a local district; they're who younger players look up to, and set an example on conduct, skills and, with many now dads themselves, are at the core of clubs for not only those coming into the game, but those who are parents with young players, and have nieces and nephews and aunts and uncles and grandparents who can't stop beaming at them because they're all just great lads. They are also all great mates between the clubs.

Groundsman and Manly Warringah District Junior Rugby League and Bulldogs Life Member of Brian Friend OAM (Friendly) confirmed this mid-week, sharing the Mona Vale Raiders A Grade side headed into the Avalon Bulldogs change room at Brookvale after the game to congratulate them, with hugs and a beer shared before the Doggies headed north to their Hitchcock Park clubhouse for a celebration.

Results from local clubs who played in the Grand Finals this Season run below - however, everyone who had a go is a winner - and as there is a brotherhood and sisterhood between the different clubs' members, the family that is rugby league was reaffirmed this year.

2026 Grand Final Congratulations:

Girls - Women

Cromer Kingfishers 2026 U/14 BLUES TAG WHITE (BOTTOM 5) PREMIERS - playing against Cromer as well in Grand Final

Belrose Eagles UNDER 14 BLUES TAG WHITE (TOP 4) PREMIERS -Congratulations Matilda Hollingsworth who was awarded player of the match.  Played against Avalon Bulldogs

Manly Brothers UNDER 14 BLUES TAG MAROON (TOP 4) PREMIERS - Congratulations Billie Kasprowicz who was awarded player of the match. Played against Avalon Bulldogs

Narrabeen Sharks U/14 BLUES TAG MAROON (BOTTOM 4) PREMIERS - Avalon Bulldogs girls made the Grand Final

Belrose Eagles U/16 BLUES TAG WHITE (BOTTOM 5) PREMIERS - Avalon Bulldogs girls made the Grand Final

Belrose Eagles U/16 BLUES TAG WHITE (TOP 4) PREMIERS - Congratulations Eden McNaughtan who was awarded player of the match.

Narrabeen Sharks U/16 BLUES TAG MAROON PREMIERS - Congratulations Amber Hattingh who was awarded player of the match.

CONGRATULATIONS Manly Brothers - UNDER 16 BLUES TAG WHITE (TOP 4) RUNNERS UP 

CONGRATULATIONS TO Mona Vale Raiders NORTHERN UNDER 18 BLUES TAG PREMIERS - Congratulations to Mahli Harding who was awarded player of the match.

Forestville Ferrets METRO OPEN AGE WOMENS SILVER PREMIERS

Mona Vale Raiders girls!

Boys-Men

Cromer Kingfishers NORTHERN UNDER 13 GOLD PREMIERS - Congratulations Harry Benbow who was awarded player of the match. GF played by Narraweena Hawks

CONGRATULATIONS Avalon Bulldogs NORTHERN UNDER 13 SILVER RUNNERS UP

Forestville Ferrets NORTHERN UNDER 14 GOLD PREMIERS - Congratulations Jay Byrne who was awarded player of the match. Played against Belrose Eagles

Manly Brothers METRO UNDER 15 SILVER PREMIERS - Congratulations to Jayden Wessels who was awarded player of the match.

CONGRATULATIONS Narrabeen Sharks METRO UNDER 15 GOLD RUNNERS UP

Mona Vale Raiders METRO UNDER 18 SILVER PREMIERS

Mona Vale Raiders Under 18's Silver 2026 Premiers - focussed

A Grade 2026 Premiers

Forestville Ferrets NORTHERN OPEN AGE BRONZE PREMIERS - Congratulations to Max Marsters who was awarded player of the match. Played against Willoughby - Narrabeen's Bronze Team made Preliminary Finals

Avalon Bulldogs  NORTHERN OPEN AGE GOLD PREMIERS - played against Mona Vale Raiders - Narrabeen Sharks finished 3 on 2026 A Grade Ladder - Avalon Bulldogs 18 - 14 Mona Vale Raiders

Gold A Grade Game: Avalon 18- 14 Mona Vale Raiders

Grand Final match stats

Penalty Goal Successful 1/1 - Chandler WALTON

3 Tries  each team

Mona Vale

  • TJ HERRING 
  • Luca Tracey
  • Jacob Lowe

Avalon

  • Chandler WALTON
  • Jake CRUTCH
  • Taine Allen

Conversion Successful

Mona Vale 1/3 -  Eli CLARK

Avalon 2/3 - Chandler WALTON

Grand final teams: 

Avalon Bulldogs

  • Harley ATTWATER 
  • Chandler WALTON 
  • Taine Allen
  • Mitchell DONNELLY
  • Ayden LEYSHON
  • Chad McMILLAN
  • Will KELLY 
  • Luke TOON
  • Will GOLDEN
  • Max BARRY
  • Samuel MEEHAN 
  • Jack SCHOFIELD
  • Corey KIRKHAM
  • Jake CRUTCH
  • Matthew ANDREWS
  • Max GIRDLER
  • Jackson William LLOYD
  • Jack POLO
  • Max CROTTY-KING
  • Jedd WHEELER 

Mona Vale Raiders

  • Eli CLARK 
  • Pateresio BERAMAISUVA
  • Tautua FAATUI
  • Luca Tracey
  • Jacob Lowe
  • Archie SERGI
  • Oskar WARNER
  • Noa FAATUI
  • TJ HERRING
  • Marco SEVERINO
  • Phoenix DEATH
  • Samuel MEEHAN
  • Akemi Ma'u
  • Elia FAATUI
  • Fabian GOODALL
  • Zac Floyd
  • Jona KOROIADI
  • BAYLEY WHITFIELD
  • Max DALBY-BALL FAITHFULL
  • Nate BAKON

Team staff

Avalon

  • Coach: Haig Sare
  • Assistant Coach:
  • Manager: Jazmin Ball
  • Level 1 Trainer: Darcy George

Mona Vale

  • Coach: David Heath
  • Level 2 Trainers: Cameron Ashe and Helder Borges
  • Level 1 Trainer: Matt Kelly

Grounds People in charge over weekend (Assisted by Volunteers from every Club playing):

  • Sue Tonga
  • Bob Butcher
  • Brian Friend OAM

Brian Friend OAM and Bob Butcher - MWJRLFC Legends

Harbord United Devils Junior Rugby League stalwart Bob Butcher, has dedicated more than 60 years of his life to Rugby League and kickstarting the careers of local juniors including Steve Menzies. He was recognised by Sport NSW with a 2020 Community Sports Award for Distinguished Long Service.

Mr. Butcher, now 88, has held positions including Coach, Manager and Secretary with Harbord United, as well as Registrar for the Manly-Warringah District, and is still actively volunteering his time within the Junior Rugby League community.

Butcher played an integral role for Harbord United as the first person to introduce children to the game, including Sea Eagles legend  Steve Menzies, who joined the club in 1980 before going on to make his first grade debut in 1993.

Friendly explained post-Grand Finals Bob started with Harbord in 1980, Frank Cridland, another legend, started with the MWJRFL in 1974, and he started in 1975 as Groundsmen or Referees or Coaching, and all three most Seasons, along with anything else they could do to promote access for youngsters to playing footy.

Friendly was also stoked that there were 7 or 8 referees over the weekend who came out of the Avalon Bulldogs to take on the role of making the games work.

Referees over Grand Final Weekend:

Referees:

  • Jagger Haymes
  • Nixon West
  • Taylor Moroney
  • Tyde Edwards-Stitt
  • Harry Geraghty
  • Jazzy Gorman
  • Billy Stuart
  • Monty Pellet

Touch Judges:

  • Kobi Bate
  • Jayden Teodoro
  • David Robinson
  • Joel Robinson
  • Kalani Adams-Garcia
  • Zac Collins
  • Cooper Cameron
  • Cade Fairless
  • Corey Morris
  • Sam Keep
  • Josh Robinson
  • Callan West
  • Bruno Scalerio
  • Lachlan Hobbs
  • Hudson Sasikan

Mona Vale Raiders' past-President and current Registrar Suellen Whitfield was also a groundsperson at the a Grade Grand Final

Mona Vale Raiders GF A-Grade Team members - clearly stoked with a brilliant Raiders Season

Dogs can fly!