Mollie Gray swaps green and gold for Maitland black

The Blacks will be hoping Gray, who is having her last hit out with her family club before this year’s Women's Rugby World Cup in Ireland, can turn the team’s fortunes around.

The Lady Blacks have yet to win a game in 2017 but have been showing steady improvement.

Gray and her teammates would love to toast a win at Marcellin Park on Friday night and return on Saturday for more celebrations at the Blacks’ annual Ladies Day celebrations.

Ladies’ Day is one of the most anticipated dates on the Blacks calendar and is looming as a huge day for the club on-field as well.

The Blacks are hosting recent bogey side The Waratahs and need a win to build momentum for the finals.

Maitland were disappointing last week going down 19-12 to Merewether Carlton at Townson Oval.

They will be boosted by the return of wing and kicker Jono Maloney and pending fitness tests front-row trio James Robinson, James Curran and Rhys Watson.

However, Maitland will be missing Nick Davidson who serves the last week of a three-game suspension and centre Jye Estatheo who is still a week or two from returning from injury.

Blacks co-coach Ryan McCormack said the Blacks form  had been very good and only a matter of points had separated them from beating top two teams Hamilton and Wanderers.

McCormack said The Waratahs had been a bogey side in recent seasons and would provide a huge challenge at Marcellin Park on Saturday.

“There’s no better time to turn things around against them and from last week than Ladies’ Day,” he said.

“There is always a huge crowd on the day and a win would be a great way to say thanks for all the tireless support and work by the women involved in the club.”

Ladies’ Day starts from 1pm. Tickets are $30 pre-booked or $35 on the day which includes drinks and food for three hours, raffle and lucky door prizes, manicures and karaoke after the games. Call Ryan Eckford on 0437 285 744 to book your spot.

The Blacks are mourning the death this week of former premiership winger Bill Austin.

Austin, 59, played 120 games for the Blacks including 20 in first grade and won two second grade premierships. His sons Pat and Liam, brother Nick and nephews Sam and Darcy Austin and Nick, Jono and Alex O'Toole all played for the Blacks.

Austin’s funeral is at St Joseph’s East Maitland at 10.30am on Monday.