The Warriors kicks off their B-grade campaign with an away game against Maitland United, who were dropped back from A-grade.

Dungog and Kearsley Crushers both go up a grade and will be able to play their catch-up game against each other over the Queen’s Birthday long weekend to ensure neither is disadvantaged.

Kotara, who made an impactful pit-stop in C-grade with a 68-0 drubbing of Clarence Town Cobras, have also been promoted to B-grade.

All three teams will take up their existing points and for and against scores.

B-grade will feature 10 teams and have an eight-team semi-finals series.

The most sweeping changes occur in C-grade where three Maitland teams will join the comp.

Maitland Pickers and Morpeth Bulls come down from B-grade and East Maitland Griffins go up from D-grade.

Karuah was the only team to go down from C-grade, which will now feature 12 teams and an eight-team semi-finals series.

East Maitland and the Maitland Pickers start their C-grade all-age campaign with a local derby at King Edward Park on Saturday.

Morpeth host Wallsend-Maryland on Saturday, with Paterson River hosting Abermain at Paterson Sportsground and Clarence Town at home to Hinton on Sunday.

Gloucester Magpies, with new star signing former Newcastle Knights great Robbie O’Davis, play Stockton on Saturday

NHRL administrator Dave Wild confirmed on Wednesday the dual premiership winner, Queensland and Australian representative had indeed signed with the club near Barrington Tops.

“I saw the name and I thought surely there’s only one Robbie O’Davis around Newcastle,” Wild said.

O’Davis’ brother Glenn plays in the team and they are both good friends of coach Andrew Middlebrook.