Yowies, WAC and Newcastle All Blacks: Inside the Koori Knockout's Fiercest Modern Rivalry

If you've followed the Koori Knockout over the past decade, three names keep turning up on grand final day: Newcastle Yowies, Walgett Aboriginal Connection, and Newcastle All Blacks. Between them, these three clubs have accounted for a remarkable share of recent titles — and heading into the 2026 carnival, that rivalry is only getting bigger.

Newcastle Yowies: the reigning champions

The Newcastle Yowies enter 2026 as hosts and reigning champions, after claiming all four grand finals — men's, women's, and juniors — in a single day at last year's carnival, a first in the tournament's history. It's their fourth men's title overall, joining wins in 2012, 2013, and 2017, and it cements their place as one of the competition's most consistent modern powerhouses.

Hosting duties now fall to the Yowies for 2026, bringing the carnival to Kings Park Sporting Complex in Raymond Terrace, on Worimi Country.

Walgett Aboriginal Connection: back-to-back champions

Before the Yowies' 2025 breakthrough, it was Walgett Aboriginal Connection (WAC) holding the trophy, winning back-to-back titles in 2023 and 2024. WAC and the original Walgett club (BAC Walgett) are tied with Redfern All Blacks for the most men's titles in Knockout history at eight apiece — a rivalry stretching back to Walgett's first three-peat in 1988, 1989, and 1990.

WAC's roster has also produced genuine NRL talent over the years, including Ben Barba, George Rose, Joel Thompson, Connor Watson, and Jack Wighton — all having represented the club before or during their top-flight careers.

Newcastle All Blacks: the third power in the Hunter

Sharing the Newcastle region with the Yowies, Newcastle All Blacks have their own strong recent record, with three men's titles in 2007, 2018, and 2022 — the 2022 win coming in the Knockout's landmark 50th anniversary tournament, watched by thousands. Will Smith is among the NRL names to have come through the Newcastle All Blacks program.

Why this rivalry matters heading into 2026

With the Yowies defending their title on home turf, and WAC looking to reclaim the trophy after their two-year reign was broken, 2026 sets up as one of the most anticipated carnivals in years. Add in Newcastle All Blacks' own pedigree from the same region as the host club, and this year's men's draw carries a genuine sense of unfinished business between three of the competition's biggest names.

Follow every match live

Whichever of these three sides you're following, every match of the 2026 carnival will be available to watch live on NITV and SBS On Demand. We'll have the direct link to the current broadcast on our Watch page throughout the weekend, along with live scores and the full schedule for every round.