While most of the recent talk has centred around the Maitland Pickers’ playmakers and coaching ranks there have been a few unsung heroes in their 2014 campaign.
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They come in the shape of young forwards Pat Robards, Dan Killen and Tylar Cartar, who will all come off the bench in the Pickers’ final round clash against Newcastle Rugby League competition front runners Western Suburbs at Harker Oval on Sunday.
And while the sixth-placed Pickers will be out to end a disappointing season on a high, and deny the Rosellas a second successive minor premiership, these local juniors will have even more to play for.
They will be trying to put one last performance on the board to impress incoming Pickers coach Noel Dent despite the team being out of contention for the finals.
Dent, the man responsible for rebuilding the Pickers and taking them to their first grand final win in 27 years back in 2010, will take over from current captain-coach PJ Ellis next season.
It means this weekend will be Ellis’ last as Pickers coach after two years in the job.
Ellis, who came to the club in 2010 and captained in 2011 for the Pickers back-to-back minor-major title success, will now weigh up whether to come back as a player in 2015.
Before the 2014 season kicked off Ellis told the Mercury he would hang up the boots but has since expressed an interest in playing one more year without the extra burden of coaching.
Ellis, who has played most positions in the forward pack this season with Terence Seu Seu lining up at hooker, has been named at lock for this weekend’s round 18 encounter with the two-time defending premiers.
Jayden Rosberg and Howie Grant will be in the second row with Peter Rata and Dan Metcalf the props.
In the backs experienced campaigner Dan Randall partners newcomer Elliott Jennings in the centres with Ryan Lacy and Josh Morrison on the wings.
Tyme Dow-Nikau will wear the No.1 jersey.
Chad Solman and Luke Clydesdale are the halves but this may be their last game together in that role.
The Pickers have reportedly signed New Zealand Warriors NSW Cup captain Steve Waetford and fellow Kiwi Zebastian Luisi for next season.
In other real NRL games the Kurri Kurri Bulldogs clash with South Newcastle at Townson Oval on Saturday, Cessnock have the match of the round against Macquarie at home on Saturday and Central Newcastle host Port Stephens while Lakes have the bye.
All matches kick off at 3pm.