The guts was typified by captain-coach Luke Dorn who played out the game under duress carrying a sternum injury into the game and man-of-the-match Shay Padberg who has the body and skills of a half but throws himself into the fray like a prop.

“Dorny was hurting, every tackle was agony, but when Ryan Walsh wasn’t able to come up for injury he felt he needed to play to give the team some direction,” a proud Pickers president Frank Lawler said after the match.

“In terms of players we were missing and the quality of opposition, that was probably our best win of the season.”

The critical maturity, without several leading players, was across the team as they matched the challenges of a quality Souths side, which had gone into the match as the form team of the competition.

Hooker Adam Clydsdale is seemingly unflappable in any situation and justifiably leads the competition’s player of the year award. His NRL class is evident, but it his on-field leadership which has been vital in the Pickers rise infusing his teammates with confidence allowing them to take their games to new levels.

First grade debutants Jeremy Gibson (under-19s, reserves) and Cody Clulow (reserves) showed game sense beyond their years and have big futures.

Dorn was delighted with their performances and said they had earned their spots in the team after strong performances in the lower grades.

“They are quality young players and their readiness to go into first grade and perform is a real credit to our lower grade coaches Luke Clydsdale and Jye Delaney,” Dorn said.

“I was wrapped with the performance across the whole group. We had lapses and South were able to capitalise but we stood up and met the challenge.

“It got a little bit ropey there for a bit but good teams find a way to get out of it and that’s what we did.

“We passed it, we were energetic and were the better team on the day.”

“In many ways it was probably our best win of the season.

Gibson, a five-eighth, showed real game control with his kicking game in critical moments of the second half when Souths mounted a challenge with two quick tries to reduce the margin to 28-20.

The Pickers led 12-8 at half-time and seemingly broke the game apart with three quick tries after the break, including an electrifying run by Dorn after breaking the line.

Outside backs Josh Griffiths, Isaac Upton and Elliott Jennings give the Pickers incredible potency in attack but more importantly have stiffened Maitland’s defence on the edge.

Curnow was a valuable part of a forward pack led by prop Brenton Horwood and the tireless back-rower Tylar Carter who keeps on providing inspirational plays in attack and defence whenever the Pickers need a lift.

Young front-rowers Lincoln Smith and Jaden Butterfield give the talented Pickers backs a platform in attack with strong running and regular breaks and both are able to off-load while drawing three and four defenders.

Tim Watson has become the Pickers’ Mr Fix It, capable of filling every role from wing to half-back and has been one of Maitland’s most consistent and important performers.