Newcastle Rugby League Grand Final Preview

First Grade - Lakes United Seagulls v Macquarie Scorpions
Hunter Stadium, Newcastle - Sunday, 3.00pm

See all the action of all four Newcastle Rugby League Grand Finals on Sunday, LIVE on BAR TV Sports from -.

Under 19's: 10.15am - Maitland Pickers v Central Newcastle Butcher Boys
Open Grade: 11.40am - South Newcastle Lions v Kurri Kurri Bulldogs
Reserve Grade: 1.15pm - Lakes United Seagulls v Western Suburbs Rosellas
First Grade: 3.00pm - Lakes United Seagulls v Macquarie Scorpions

Having met in the first round of the Real NRL this year, Lakes and Macquarie will be looking to take out the Premiership in the first Grand Final played at Hunter Stadium.

Only two seasons ago Lakes United failed to win a game all season fast forward to now and the Belmont club find themselves only 80 minutes away from claiming their first title since 2007. Recruiting experienced duo Chris Adams and Brad Murray from Cessnock and Wests respectively, Lakes have developed throughout 2015 losing just four matches to finish second at the conclusion of the regular season. Boasting a number of players with affiliation to the Newcastle Knights including centre Marcel Ikinofo and backrower Dylan Hartin, Lakes will be looking to draw upon their tome in NSW Cup to get the Seagulls over the line. Scoring three tries in the final 15 minutes against Minor Premiers Western Suburbs a fortnight ago to book a place in the decider, Seagulls coach Dean Noonan will be hoping the week off gives his side a boost to complete a fairytale finish to an already outstanding season.

Claiming their last Premiership in 1991 under the Toronto Workers guise, Macquarie will be hoping their poor for in finals football in recent seasons turns around in a big way with a victory on Sunday afternoon. Having gone down in their past seven finals appearances, the Scorpions will be looking to make it three consecutive September wins after overcoming Cessnock (16-10) and Western Suburbs (18-12) last Sunday. While the Toronto club has been unable to get over Lakes in their three meetings so far in 2015, coach Barrie Moore will be hoping former South Sydney halfback Mick Moran can replicate his incredible match-winning feat in the 2011 Grand Final, where he nailed a 35-metre field goal to give Maitland back-to-back premierships. With a mix of experienced forwards led by Blake Gallen and Josh Schmiedel and exciting youngsters such as 17-year-old Malik Deyaolu, Macquarie will have high hopes for Sunday as they make their first appearance in a Newcastle Rugby League Grand Final since 1994.

2015 Meetings

Round 1 - Lakes 19 v Macquarie 12 at Cahill Oval
In the first game of the season, the Seagulls got off to a terrific start as a double to centre Josh Charles and a late field goal to Brad Murray saw Lakes start 2015 in winning form.

Round 8 - Lakes 22 v Macquarie 18 at Peacock Field
In the return fixture Lakes were able to come away with the two points in a seesawing battle after an intercept from Brad Murray enabled Josh Charles to sprint away to seal the game. Despite the Scorpions best efforts late in the game, the defence of Lakes held firm.

Qualifying Semi Final - Lakes 16 v Macquarie 12 at Cahill Oval
After trailing 10-2 at the break, Macquarie hit back to take the lead through two quick second half tries. However once again, Brad Murray came up with a crucial play for the Seagulls, hoisting a bomb up for winger James Vaka to touch down to give Lakes their third win over the Scorpions this season.

Who to watch: Since linking up with Lakes this season, Chris Adams has gone from strength to strength. Claiming the Players Player and Player of the Year accolades at the Real NRL presentation night a fortnight ago, the former Knights first grader has been the driving force behind the Seagulls resurgence in 2015. After suffering the disappointment of losing against Canberra in the Country Championships earlier this season, Adams will be the player Macquarie has to contain or else his expertise in attack and defence will prove too much for the Scorpions to contend with.

While he may wear number 11 on his back, Macquarie backrower Josh Schmiedel has shown throughout 2015 he has the pace of an outside back to match his bruising defence. Named Representative Player of the Year, Schmiedel draws comparisons to the likes of Ben Kennedy and Anthony Watmough in the prime. Renown for his ability to break opposition tackles, the Macquarie forward will have his sights set firmly on terrorising the Lakes small men to get the Scorpions over the line on Sunday.

Road to the Finals

Lakes: 2nd - 10 wins, 4 losses.
Qualifying Semi Final - Lakes 16 v Macquarie 12
Major Semi Final - Lakes 20 v Western Suburbs 14

Macquarie: 3rd - 8 wins, 6 losses.
Qualifying Semi Final - Lakes 16 v Macquarie 12
Minor Semi Final - Macquarie 16 v Cessnock 10
Preliminary Final - Macquarie 18 v Western Suburbs 12

Grand Final Records

Lakes United Seagulls - 10 Premierships (1947, 1974-75, 1985-87, 1996, 2006-07)
Macquarie Scorpions - 1 Premiership (1991* Toronto Workers)

Lakes have been sensational all season, with Murray and Adams directing play the Seagulls will need the likes of Hayden Jeans, Casey Burgess and 37-year-old veteran Tim Harlow to lay a solid platform. If the forwards can get on top, the Lakes playmakers will create plenty of opportunities for the likes of Jack Mackin, Matt Craig and James Vaka to score.

The Scorpions aren't to be discounted, any side that makes it to a Grand Final is capable of getting the job done; with speedy outside backs including last week's match winner Randall Briggs and the creative Andrew Sumner always in support of his forwards, Macquarie have the ability to match it with Lakes all the way.

With the biggest margin between the two sides being just seven points, this games looks set to go right down to the wire.

Check out all the action of the 2015 Newcastle Rugby League Grand Final, LIVE on BAR TV Sports.