Thornton coach Alan Primmer suggested he may make some subtle positional changes to counteract the loss.

Primmer said “there were a few girls second-guessing themselves” at training during the week but he emphasised the fact that it was just one game and they had a new task to look up to for this weekend.

He expected the addition of Rhali Dobson this season would add some potency to Rosebud but suggested the smaller field of Adamstown No.2 might work in their favour to keep Dobson quiet if they hold their defensive structure.

Adamstown coach Ben Herron is expecting  a fired-up Thornton when they play host to the Redbacks this weekend.

Thornton opened their 2016 campaign with a 3-1 win over Mid North Coast but last weekend were on the receiving end of a 7-0 rout by defending champions Merewether.

“I’ve known Al [Thornton coach Alan Primmer] for a few years now and I’m expecting a bit of a bounce back; no one likes to lie down after a 7-0 defeat and I expect they’ll have a point to prove,” Herron said.

Adamstown will carry momentum into the clash – they have made an unbeaten start to the season with wins over Merewether and Warners Bay and a draw with Wallsend.

Herron has an unchanged squad available for the clash and welcomed strong competition for starting positions.