The Kurri Kurri Bulldogs will unveil a stack of new signings when they attempt to even the Charity Shield ledger with the Cessnock Goannas on Saturday night.
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The Bulldogs’ latest recruit in Mascot’s Wylie Martin will start at fullback at Baddeley Park with returning club junior Terence Seu Seu, Greta-Branxton Colts premiership winner Brady Hammond and Helensburgh prop Brock Gilmour also in the starting 13.
They will be joined by Jacob McKendry, who will face up against his former Cessnock teammates for the first time since leaving at the end of last season.
Jacob McKendry, Scott Dunn and Ryan Walker are unavailable for the tri-colours along with Daniel Abraham, who is expected to return from shoulder surgery later this month in a trial against Dubbo, and Theeran Pearson, who has been named on the bench for the Newcastle Knights in their NSW Cup season opener against the New Zealand Warriors at Hunter Stadium.
“We have four or five out but we still have a pretty strong squad,” Bulldogs president Jeff Polglase said.
“We have a couple of new blokes having their first run with us which will be good.”
Kurri Kurri will be taking on a much different Cessnock side than the one beaten in last year’s Newcastle Rugby League grand final with Willie Heta, Jarred Edwards, Trent Hawes, Noel Underwood, Tyrone Amey and Sam Apthorpe some of the players to look out for.
This will be the Goannas’ first run under new coach, former Western Suburbs mentor and three-time premiership winner Craig Miller.
Cessnock lead 6-5 in the overall Charity Shield standings since the annual gala day between the rival clubs featuring matches from under 6s through to first grade kicked off in 2003.
“It’s a massive day for both clubs,” Bulldogs president Jeff Polglase said.
“And it’s normally that close that it comes down to whoever wins first grade.”
Junior matches from 8.30am.
First grade at 7pm.
The main game will be streamed live online courtesy of BarTv Sports with Mercury sports journalist Peter Jolly behind the microphone.
Following this weekend the Bulldogs will host The Entrance at Kurri Sportsground on March 21 with a road trip to Dubbo the week after.