Beware the wounded giants. 

Souths Lions are coming off their first loss in two-and-a-half seasons and the defending three-time Greater Open champions will be keen to put behind them a 68-31 trouncing at the hands of newcomers West Leagues Balance in the opening round.

Souths were missing midcourt players Narelle Eather and Eliza Lewis and defender Tianna Cummings through unavailability but Lions coach Trude Yen was not making any excuses and described the match as “one of those reckoning games” for her charges..

“We certainly had a bit of a hiccup last weekend and, that was not only because we had some players out, there was also a lot of complacency on court,” Yen said. 

“But we're ready to go this weekend.”

Yen will have a full complement at her disposal on Saturday when they challenge opening-round winners BNC Whanau.

She was confident they could get back in the winners’ circle with a strong performance but would not be taking any games lightly this year.

“We’ve got a target on our us and that’s the rod we've made for our own back,” she said.

“But at Souths we have never wanted to bow to the competition, we always want to been striving for the competition to meet us. 

“The wonderful thing about this year is that teams are out to lift the standard of competition and I’m happy about that; it's a good thing for Newcastle netball.

“I'm expecting a good tough game this weekend, and I'm expecting that from every team this year and we’ll treat every team with respect.”

BNC Whanau defeated Junction Stella 33-27 in the first round. Their clash with the Lions is at 3.45pm and West Balance will challenge Maryville Tavern at the same time.

Souths Pride take on Nova Thunder at 2.30pm while Forsythes Business Advisors meet Junction.

Herald Women’s Premier League – Round 5

Warners Bay may be the defending Herald women’s Premier League champions but player-coach Cassidy Davis declared Merewether “the team to beat” ahead of their clash at Myamblah Oval on Sunday.

Davis will come up against Merewether midfield maestro Jane McDonald and this battle in the middle of the park could be where this game is won or lost.

“I think they are going to be very tough,” Davis said. “They are always very physical and they’ve got a big, strong team and we are quite small.

“We need to make sure we win the individual battles, whoever we are up against. We also need to shut down Jane [McDonald] in the middle. Shutting her down is a major thing .. and just being more physical.”

Former W-League player Stacey Day is expected to make her long-awaited return to the field for South Wallsend when they host Thornton at Walker Fields.

Day has missed the past few seasons with knee injuries and is likely to play a small role off the bench on Sunday.

Mid North Coast take on Wallsend at The Gardens in the other match. All games at 2.15pm.

Black Diamond AFL Women – Round 2

The first Newcastle derby in the history of the Black Diamond AFL women’s competition will be held on Friday night when City take on Novas at Tulkaba Oval at 7.30pm.

On Saturday, Gosford host Singleton, Lake Macquarie head to Tumbi Umbi to play Killarney Vale; Cardiff are at home to defending champions Nelson Bay in what is expected to be the match of the round, Warners Bay travel to take on Maitland and Muswellbrook make the long trek to Tacoma to play Wyong Lakes.

Rugby Union – Hunter players in rep match

HUNTER will have several representatives in the NSW Country women’s rugby side pushing for championships glory this weekend at the Southern States Championships in Wagga Wagga on Saturday.

Hunter became the NSW Country champions for an incredible 18th straight year when they were unbeaten at the country titles at Forster last weekend.

Hunter were rewarded with 10 players - Gilbert, Hayley Amm, Martha Webber, Annika Jamieson, Katrina Barker, Mel Howard, Naomi Medlin, Tahlia Goldsmith, Rachel Crothers, Britney Duff - selected in the NSW Country Corellas squad to play in Wagga.

Cross and Wallroos centre Sarah Riordan were named in the Australian Defence Forces side. 

Waratah Basketball League – Hunters at home

The Newcastle Hunters will be out to build on their nail-biting 67-65 win over the Illawarra Hawks in their last outing when they host Sutherland Sharks at Newcastle Basketball Stadium on Saturday at 5pm.

The match against the Hawks was a grand final replay.

The Hunters, who will have Olympic legend Suzy Batkovic on court this season from April 22, opened the season with a 54-48 loss to Sydney Comets.