The new generation of Maitland Pickers are aiming to go out winners as they farewell their old home on Saturday.
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Surrounded by Pickers legends during a photo shoot this week, Maitland young guns Pat Robards, Jarrod Smith and Josh Morrison said last week’s breakthrough win against South Newcastle had lifted confidence across the entire club.
The Pickers face Central Newcastle, who lost at home 30-10 to Kurri Kurri, and expect a tough game
Robards said everything seemed to click on-field in the Pickers’ barnstorming second-half when they scored 30 points to run out 38-32 win after trailing 24-8 shortly after half-time.
“It’s the best we’ve played all year and you can build momentum from wins like that,” Robards said.
“Centrals will be tough. They will be hurting after losing at home but I think we can take a lot of confidence into the game and get the job done on an important day for the club.”
Morrison, who injured his shoulder early against the Lions, and Jordan Pinnock are expected to be the only absentees from last week’s squad.
Pickers coach Trevor Ott said Pinnock was unlucky as he had been playing well, but would make way for Billy Towers.
Knights NSW cup hooker Kurt Aldridge will come into the squad at dummy-half and assume Morrison’s goal kicking duties.
Isaac Upton will be rewarded for strong performances in the lower grades and take Morrison’s place on the wing.
Ott said he would decide on the day whether Smith or Luke Astorini would provide back-up for Aldridge on the bench.
He said the decision to blend more experience into the side had worked.
“I thought the experience certainly helped our younger brigade and we got the best out of one another,” he said.
“The form we’ve show in the last two halves of our games has been very good. It shows our fitness levels are not too bad.
“Hopefully we can start well and finish well this week.
1. Geordie Connelly, 2. Liam Faughlin, 3. Luke Mercer, 4. George O’Brien, 5. Isaac Upton, 6. Cal Edwards, 7 Steve Waetford, 8. PJ Ellis, 9. Kurt Aldridge. 10, Rob Mason, 11. Tylar Carter, 12. Zeb Luisi, 13. Billy Towers, 14. TBA. 15. Jayden Rosberg, 16. Pat Robards, 17. Jacob Sinclair.