SEPTEMBER 27 has become a date etched in Matt Lantry's coaching career.
Not only did the Maitland Pickers claim the statewide President's Cup on that calendar spot, five years earlier to the day Lantry guided the Newcastle Knights to a NSW Cup premiership.
And on both occasions the NSW Rugby League grand finals were held at the same Parramatta venue, now known as Bankwest Stadium but named Pirtek in 2015.
Almost two deacdes ago Lantry played lower grades at the Eels under Jason Taylor, who looked after the North Sydney side defeated by the Pickers at Maitland last month.
Lantry now has four different titles to his name in the coaching ranks, having clinched the Newcastle Rugby League prize with Wests last year before switching to Maitland and kicking off with success at Greta Branxton in the Upper Hunter's Group 21 competition in 2009.
* SOUTHS will be the most represented in the Newcastle Rugby League finals series, setting up camp at Maitland Sportsground on Sunday with all four grades in action.
The Lions finished fourth on the ladder in firsts, reserves and under 19s while the women's Blues tag took out the minor premiership.
Wests are next best with three. Wyong, Lakes, Central and Maitland all have two each. Cessnock scored one. Kurri, Macquarie and Nelson Bay missed out.
* NEWCASTLE Hunter Community Rugby League grand finals will be hosted at Charlestown's St John Oval on October 24. Play-offs start this Saturday with 17 games being played across four venues - St John, Waratah Oval, Mallabula and Lakeside at Raymond Terrace.
