Meryl Swanson (Paterson, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As September came to an end, so did another incredible footy season across our region, and with that, the grand finals, the late-night training sessions, the nerves and the triumphs—and, yes, a few coaches were absolutely hanging on by a thread, not to mention those refs, as the member for Werriwa, who sits beside me, knows as she was a football ref in her time as well. But this year felt different. It was special. It was one of those years that remind you why community football and sport matter so deeply to who we are.

The 2025 Newcastle Rugby League final series was a showcase of pure local talent, and right at the heart of it were the mighty Maitland Pickers. The Pickers didn't just compete; they dominated. They were represented in those grand finals in three of the four grades: reserve grade, the women's league and first grade. That's an incredible achievement and a testament to the strength, depth and community spirit of this proud club.

I can't go without mentioning a friendly rivalry that played out in the men's grand final. The member for Hunter, Dan Repacholi, had his Cessnock Goannas take on my mighty Maitland Pickers—and, while the Goannas gave it a red-hot crack, they were no match for our Pickers. They played well, but I think the score, 30-8, kind of tells the story there. Well done, Pickers! Keep going, Goannas. Sorry, Member for Hunter. And just to rub salt into their wounds, it was the Picker's fourth consecutive grand final win. We are dominating! Four years in a row—that's not luck; that's hard work, belief and an extraordinary work ethic.

I have to say that it was the women's grand final that was really extraordinary. It's also being talked about across the region. For me, it was a battle across the electorate. The Maitland Pickers played the Great Northern Hawks, based in Port Stephens—and what a contest! From the first whistle to the final siren, both teams played with heart, determination and incredible skill. The game was fierce and full of passion. In the end, just a single point separated the two teams. It was just incredible. They played into overtime. You wouldn't have gotten a better game of footy anywhere else in the world. The match wasn't just about sport; it was about progress. It was about the power of women's sport.

For years, I grew up with girls playing footy with their brothers in the backyard, dreaming of pulling on the colours for the Pickers or the Hawks or the Kurri Bulldogs. Finally, those women are doing that. I couldn't be happier or prouder. Everyone in our community is proud of that—their brothers, their husbands, their mates. We're all so pleased to see women playing rugby league. It is a testament to how amazing and fantastic football can be. Today I congratulate each and every player, coach, volunteer, supporter and ref—yes, we do love our refs! Well done, and may the footy be just as great next year.