The Newcastle All Blacks (NAB) have been knocked out of the 49th NSW Aboriginal Rugby League Knockout after losing to the Googars 10-12 in round two on Sunday.
Day Three saw the mens' teams compete in Rounds Two, Three and Four, battling it out to do their communities proud at the finals on Monday.
After what was a promising defeat in Round One on Saturday against the Toomelah Tigers, where NAB took out the game in an impressive 42-0 win, there were high hopes that the defending Knockout champions would make it all the way through to the final.
As the team that took out last year's title, they are hosting this year's event in partnership with the Central Coast Council at the Central Coast Regional Sporting and Recreation Complex.
The most anticipated game of the day had hundreds of people lining the fence cheering in support for the Bundjalung Baygel Warriors, featuring NRL South-Sydney Rabbitohs star Cody Walker, verses. the Bourke Warriors.
With less than 15-minutes left, the teams were neck and neck sitting on twelve points each until Steven Walker, number eight of the Bundjalung Baygel Warriors, scored a try, seeing them off to Round Three later in the day.
Bundjalung Baygal Warriors defeat Bourke Warriors 16-12 (NITV) Source: NITV
Cody Walker spoke with NITV after the game, saying it was fueled with “great intensity" but all a part of the “great atmosphere" that comes with playing at the Koori Knockout.
Cultural adviser for Bourke Warriors and former player, Robert Knight, said the loss won't stop them from returning to the Koori Knockout next year.
"I’m so disappointed, we fought right till the end and unfortunately it wasn't our day,” Mr Knight told NITV News.
“There are young players, but as they grow into a team and stick together in the next few years to come we will have to take the knockout out.”
Notable NRL players representing their communities on the field today included Josh Addo-Carr, Josh Kerr and Nathan Merritt playing for the Waterloo Storm 1, Jesse Ramien playing for the Castlereigh All Blacks and Ash Taylor playing for the Newcastle Yowies.
Shanelle and Kiani from La Perouse say they love going to the Knockout to mingle with other mob. (NITV) Source: NITV
Young Jayden (3 yrs) is supporting the Newcastle Emus. (NITV) Source: NITV
Teams going into the semi-finals are the Griffith Three Ways United, Waterloo Storm, South Coast, Black Cockatoos and Dindima.
Men's day three results:
Round Two
Wellington Wedgetails 10 – 14 Griffith Three Ways United
Gundungurra Gonnas 0 - 18 Leonie Butchy Drew Memorial
Newcastle All Blacks 10 – 12 Googars
Tingha Warriors 4 – 26 Castlereagh All Blacks
Waterloo Storm 1 18 – 4 Wiradjuri Aboriginal Rivers
Walgett Aboriginal Connection 10 – 2 Toomelah Tigers 1
Tin Town Warriors 10 – 20 Wiradjuri Warriors
Newcastle Emus 16 – 18 Nanma Common Connection
Moree Boomerangs 1 18 –6 Tweed Connections
Dindima 24 – 16 Kempsey Dungutti Brothers
Narrandera Wiradjuri Warriors 14 – 10 Dubbo Pacemakers
Barwon United Swans 10 – 12 Maitland United
Bundjalung Baygal Warriors 16 – 12 Bourke Warriors
Newcastle Yowies 14 – 6 Mindaribba Warriors
South Coast Black Cockatoos 6 – 0 Hunter Wayila
Goodooga Magpies 26 –12 Gilganda Sand Goannas
Round Three
Griffith Three Ways United 22 – 12 Leonie Butchy Drew Memorial
Googars 12 – 18 Castlereagh All Blacks
Waterloo Storm 1 6 – 0 Walgett Aboriginal Connection
Wiradjuri Warriors 10 –26 Nanima Common Connection
Moree Boomerangs 1 10 – 12 Dindima
Bundjalung Baygal Warriors 6 – 0 Newcastle Yowies
South Coast Black Cockatoos 26 – 0 Goodooga Magpies
Narrandera Wiradjuri Warriors 18 – 0 Maitland United
Round Four
Griffith Three Ways United 20 - 0 Castlereigh All Blacks
Waterloo Storm 1 16 – 12 Nanima Common Connection
Bundjalung Baygal Warriors 16 - 20 South Coast Black Cockatoos
Narrandera Wiradjuri Warriors 12 – 18 Dindima
