Maitland Pickers coach PJ Ellis is excited to see the contribution of his new signings after naming a host of recruits in the squad to play Cessnock on Saturday.
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The Coalfields Derby will kick off the Newcastle Rugby League season at the Cessnock Sportsground with several new faces named to line up for the Pickers.
Terence Seu Seu and Dan Metcalfe will face their former clubs after being named at halfback and prop respectively.
Jayden Rosberg will play at lock, with Howie Grant and Leslie Alovili to come off the bench in their Pickers debuts.
Captain-coach PJ Ellis remains at hooker, with Dan Randall returning to the club to play in the centres.
Representative forward Billy Towers has been named in the second row, while another signing from Cessnock, Matt Ireland, has been named to play five-eighth in reserve grade.
Another new signing who is expected to have a big impact for Maitland is fullback Tyme Dow’nikau.
Dow’nikau is the son of former New Zealand international, Cronulla and Melbourne backrower Tawera Nikau and has impressed coaching staff with his size and skills.
Ellis is looking forward to seeing Dow’nikau in action, but said he was more than just a name.
“A lot of blokes say he is the son of Tawera Nikau and bring up his name, but he’s a very talented kid in his own right,” he said.
“He’s a strong defensive player and he’s got a lot of size about him.
“He’s built like a centre but he likes to play fullback; we’ll try to get some other players around him and use him where he’s most valuable for the team.”
Kurri Kurri legend Phil Williams has named Blake Birch at halfback to replace George Ndaira for their grand final rematch with Western Suburbs.
It is a new-look Bulldogs team after losing Ndaira, experienced forwards Jessie Royal and Regan Tanner as well as Nathan Ross, who has joined the Newcastle Knights.
Maitland Pickers squad to play Cessnock: 1. Tyme Dow’nikau, 2. Ryan Lacy, 3. Dan Randall, 4. Bernard Gregorius, 5. Josh Morrison, 6. Chad Solman; 7. Terence Seu Seu, 8. Peter George Rata, 9. P J Ellis, 10. Dan Metcalfe, 11. Tylar Carter, 12. Billy Towers, 13. Jayden Rosberg, 14. Howie Grant; 15. Pat Robards, 16. Leslie Alovili, 17. Jarrod Smith
Kurri Kurri Bulldogs squad to play Western Suburbs: 1. Noonan Simpson, 2. Ryan Heath, 3. Scott Dunn, 4. Damien Walters, 5. Lachlan Shipard, 6. Ben Wyborn, 7. Blake Birch; 8. Brendan Worth; 9. Mitch Cullen, 10. Hayden Jeans, 11. Mick Campton, 12. Daniel Abraham, 13. Jay Stephens, 14. Dane Thorogood, 15. Peter Cronin, 16. Cody Brooks, 17. Justin Peterkin.
