Star Maitland Pickers recruit Terence Seu Seu says he is focused on only one thing for Saturday’s Coalfields Derby against Cessnock – playing football.
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The Newcastle Rugby League season opener will be Seu Seu’s debut in Maitland colours and his first trip back to the Cessnock Sportsground since leaving the Goannas in the off-season.
The 26-year-old was to be Cessnock’s incoming captain-coach but has ended up at the Pickers as their marquee signing.
Click here to see some great pictures of the Pickers in action.
Cessnock officials requested to host Maitland in the opening round and will get their wish at 3pm on Saturday afternoon.
And while the stage is set for a potentially explosive derby, Seu Seu said he is solely concentrating on the task at hand.
“Cessnock is Cessnock, everyone knows you’re going to get a hard game out there,” he said.
“They’ve got a lot to prove but I’m not expecting anything more than any other club would give me.
“I’m going over there to play footy and represent the club that I’m playing for.
“I’m pretty professional, I can handle a fair bit so I’m not worried, we’ll be ready.”
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Despite having National Rugby League experience as a number nine, the incumbent Newcastle Rebels representative hooker will line up at halfback for Maitland.
Captain-coach PJ Ellis will remain at hooker, a decision Seu Seu is comfortable with.
“PJ spoke to me about it and asked if I’d play there,” he said. “I’m pretty easy going, wherever the team needs me to play and wherever I fit in is fine.
“I’m more than comfortable playing there, as long as I’m in the starting 13.”
Seu Seu has been joined at Maitland by fellow former Goannas Matt Ireland and Dan Metcalfe and has already played rep football with dynamic lock Billy Towers.
Thanks to the familiar faces, Seu Seu has adapted well to the change in scenery.
“The boys have all been really welcoming,” he said. “They’re all pretty down to earth, they like playing local footy. I’m always there when they need a hand and they’ve been pretty responsive in letting me help them out here and there.”
Ellis is confident Seu Seu will have an immediate impact on the field for his new club.
“Just a few of those little touches in the trials, he’s laid on a few tries out of the blue,” he said.
“That’s what he’s here for, to put points on the board and lead our young blokes around.
“His enthusiasm has been great, he talks well at training to the young blokes around him and they listen to what he has to say.”