August 1 - 31, 2026: Issue 657

 

Avalon hosts Narrabeen at Hitchcock Park on Old Boys Day 2026

Crunch time has arrived for local community Junior Rugby League Football Clubs, with Round 15 games running over this weekend (August 8-9), and no one taking it for granted they will win an opportunity to contest the last scheduled finals round games - Semi-finals (15-16  August), Finals (22-23 August) and Grand Finals (29-30 of August).


The Gold Open ladder top 4 teams, as we go to press, is Mona Vale, Avalon, Cromer and Narrabeen. Forestville, which Avalon plays today, Sunday August 9 for their Round 15 and final game in the schedule, sits at 5 on the ladder. This will be the third game between these two clubs in the 2026 Season, with one win each in prior match ups. 

The Round 14 game on Sunday August 2 for the 2026 Open Gold A-Grade teams was the first time Avalon and Narrabeen met across the 2026 Season after their first scheduled game for Lake Park was a washout at the end of May.

This time, it was Avalon's turn to host, with Hitchcock Park and the Bulldogs lit it up for their 2026 Old Boys Day - a chance for past players to gather and catch up under brilliant Winter sunshine - and in celebration of Jacko’s (Jackson Lloyd) 300 games. 

This was a great afternoon of community footy with both teams representing their clubs with great skills and a great attitude. They teach the youngsters who turn up to cheer them on how the game develops a sense of belonging and the feeling of being a valued member of a community bigger than just themselves. The game fosters fitness, teamwork and life skills, having a positive social impact.

This extends across the community – they all know each other and would step up for each other when needed – spreading the brotherhood and sisterhood through footy across the whole community.

Team members are supported by dedicated coaches, managers, trainers, drinks runners, club presidents, sideline and ground keepers and officials, the canteen helpers, BBQers, line markers, referees, and a score of volunteers across committees and teams who keep clubs running purely out of love for the game and their local area. Club’s fan clubs members range from the young to the elderly, from those still in school to those holding down full time jobs – it’s democracy on the local village green – your Lake Park, Newport Oval and Hitchcock Park, from the knee high to the grown tall, everyone is in.

The clubs in and the Manly Warringah Junior Rugby League have done it again this year. If you want your youngster to be surrounded by caring people who will encourage and help them to grow up, not just grow tall, see if they want to have a run with one of our local sports clubs or surf clubs over Summer or Winter. 

Local clubs bring families, fans, and players together to create a welcoming home and a powerful sense of belonging. The game brings together players of all shapes, sizes, and backgrounds, uniting diverse groups under a common passion – footy and community - making everyone a winner. 

For the last fully Footy pictorial for 2026's Season, a few pictures from Avalon hosting old mates Narrabeen to celebrate, album here for extras for your own family albums.

Addendum: 2026 Northern Open Age Gold - Round 15 Results 

Games played: Sunday August 9 2026

  • 2026 Mona Vale Raiders Open Age 18 - 14 2026 Cromer Kingfishers Open Age (Gold) at: Newport Park
  • 2026 Forestville Ferrets Open Age (Gold) 16 - 18 2026 Avalon Bulldogs Open Age at: Forestville Oval
  • 2026 Harbord United Devils Open Age (Gold) FORFEIT 2026 Narrabeen Sharks Open Age (Black) at: Harbord Park

Ladder after Round 15

  1. 2026 Mona Vale Raiders Open Age
  2. 2026 Avalon Bulldogs Open Age
  3. 2026 Narrabeen Sharks Open Age (Black)
  4. 2026 Cromer Kingfishers Open Age (Gold)

2026 Northern Open Age Gold rounds and results