Kurri’s Mitch Cullen and Cessnock’s Reed Hugo are relishing the thought of renewing Coalfields rivalry in Saturday’s Charity Shield.
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Technically the shield is a trial match, but no one is expecting anything but the usual intensity when the Kurri Bulldogs and Cessnock Goannas meet.
“It’s more than a game, for our club anyway,” Cullen said during a promotional photo shoot for the game at Kurri Kurri Sportsground.
“It’s probably the same for Cessnock. It means a lot more.
“You take a lot more out of it than just a normal trial.”
Hugo said the same bone-crunching intensity as any Coalfield clash.
“It’s a massive game for both teams,” he said.
“It’s always been a big rivalry and we’re looking forward to getting out there and getting into them.”
Both teams take winning form into the game, but the Goannas were far more convincing in their 34-14 win over Central Coast side Berkeley Vale.
Goannas coach Dan Smailes took a squad of 21 into the match, including last year’s first graders and some new players.
He rewarded two under-19s players, Bailey Bromage and Connor Kirkwood, with a place on the bench for the effort they had put in during the pre-season.
Chris Pyne, Shaun Metcalf, Cal Orchard, Josh Dimmock, Joe Woodbury, Robert Tuliatu all crossed the line and young Kirkwood scored his first try in first grade.
Playing his first game in 18 months, Pyne showed he has lost none of his pace and instincts with a first-class performance.
The Bulldogs scored three tires in the final 20 minuutes to defeat Dubbo CYMS 18-16 at Kurri on Saturday.
Bulldogs coach Phil Williams was pleased with his side’s performance in the final 20 minutes, but was disappointed in what he described as fundamental errors.
“We had seven debutants but even then there’s no excuse for fundamental errors which shouldn’t happen at any level,” he said.
“We came good at the end but in stages we were poor.
“Our ball control was poor and our field position was poor.
“It’s a good one to get under the belt. There’s plenty we can learn from it.”
The Charity Shield will be held at Kurri this Saturday, with games from under-6s through to first grade.
The Charity Shield was established in 2003, and is held by the Goannas.
This year’s beneficiary will be Heal For Life, the Quorrobolong-based centre for survivors of childhood trauma.
Entry is by gold coin; games will start at 8.30am with first grade at 7pm.