The Maitland Pickers must aim up from the opening whistle if they are to contest Sunday’s under-18 grand final against Western Suburbs, according to vice-captain Lincoln Smith.
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The Pickers were blown away by the Rosellas in the early stages when they met a fortnight ago in the major semi-final and Smith said this must be addressed if Maitland are to claim the Newcastle Rugby League major premiership at No.1 Sportsground.
“We need to start 100 per cent,” Smith said.
“We can’t afford to get off to a slow start and if we can do it will all come together.”
The minor premiers were forced to qualify the hard way and after losing 26-14 to Wests bounced back to beat Cessnock
30-16 in last week’s preliminary final.
Smith said the camaraderie in the squad, which has been assembled from around the district from clubs such as East Maitland, West Maitland, Greta Branxton and Singleton, had been an important factor in their success so far this season.
“We play as a team, we play for each other and everyone puts in 100 per cent,” Smith said.
“There is a fair mix there, but we have gelled really well this year.’
Smith said Wests centre Kiah Cooper was a player the Maitland squad would be wary of this weekend.
In the Pickers camp winger Lachlan Preston and centre Adam Hamilton have both been named by coach Noel Dent, who will take over as first grade mentor in 2015, despite injury concerns earlier in the week with Smith shifting back to the second row.
Maitland lost to Lakes in last year’s under-18 showdown.
Grand final day kicks off at 10am.
In the top grade decider former Maitland Pickers back and West Maitland junior Geordie Connelly has been named at centre by outgoing Cessnock coach Steve Kidd for the Goannas clash with two-time defending minor-major premiers Western Suburbs.
REAL NRL GRAND FINALS
No.1 Sportsground on Sunday
First Grade: Western Suburbs v Cessnock Goannas (3pm)
Reserve Grade: Western Suburbs v Central Newcastle (1pm)
Under 23s: South Newcastle v Central Newcastle (11.30am)
Under 18s: Western Suburbs v Maitland Pickers (10am)
1 Matt Soper-Lawler, 2 Lachlan Preston, 3 Adam Hamilton, 4 Lachlan Gallegos, 5 Zac Pursehouse, 6 Ngangarra Barker, 7 Jayden Wright, 8 Max King, 9 Joseph Morris, 10 Jack Riddett, 11 Jake Moore, 12 Lincoln Smith, 13 Bailey Jenkins, 14 Jayden Butterfield, 15 Aaron McIlwrath, 16 Dominic Fiorenza, 17 Lee Fitzpatrick, 20 Charlie Woods
