Kurri Kurri’s Mitch Cullen and Cessnock’s Reed Hugo are relishing the thought of renewing their Coalfields rugby league 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, a utility star, said during a promotional photographic shoot this week 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, the NRL rookie of the year, said he expected the same bone-crunching intensity as any Coalfield clash.
“It’s a massive game for both teams,” the second-rower said.
“It’s always been a big rivalry and we’re looking forward to getting out there and getting into them.”
Both teams are taking winning form into the game, but the Goannas were far more convincing in their 34-14 victory 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 the top side.
Playing his first game in 18 months, veteran winger 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.
CYMS are aiming for their third consecutive Group 11 title in 2016. Big-name Dubbo signing Isaac Gordon, the former Cronulla Shark, missed the match as he continues his comeback from a number of niggling injuries.
Bulldogs coach Phil Williams was pleased with his side’s performance against CYMS 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,” Williams said. “We came good at the end but in stages we were poor. It’s a good one to get under the belt. There’s plenty we can learn from it.”
The Charity Shield is at Kurri this Saturday, with games from under-6s starting at 8.30am. Entry is by gold coin. First grade kicks off at 7pm.
