Evans, arguably the league’s best defender of the past four seasons, works for the RAAF and learned this month he will stay at Williamtown for another year.

The former Queenslander has won four premierships in four seasons at the Eagles and will play in a fourth grand final if Edgeworth don’t concede at Jack McLaughlan Oval on Saturday.

It will be a big weekend regardless for the Eagles, who host the Northern League One grand finals on Sunday.

Edgeworth and sponsor Newcastle Sheetmetal will continue fund-raising efforts for drought-stricken farmers. They have already raised $15,000, gathered $2500 in safety equipment, a semi-trailer load of feed and collected clothes and food for a trip next week to the Moree and Wee Waa regions.  

** Belmont Swansea and West Wallsend made the Northern League One grand final in dramatic fashion.

Belswans won 3-0, and 4-1 on aggregate, over two-time defending premiers Cooks Hill, who had coach Graham Law sent off for throwing tape at the opposition bench.

West Wallsend, who almost folded in 2014, beat Thornton 2-1, and 3-2 overall, in the other semi. It was great reward for coach Gary Rowe, who answered an SOS from the club in 2015. 

** Key issues for clubs ahead of the NNSW NPL licence renewal next year will be discussed on Wednesday night. Association of Australian Football Clubs director Christo Patsan invited club officials to the meeting, which will be held at Newcastle Football’s offices.