The Maitland Pickers are expecting their biggest crowd of the season when they host Lakes United in their high-stakes clash on Saturday.
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The Pickers can put one hand on the minor premiership trophy with a win against Lakes United on Pickers Old Boys and Supporters John “Newk” Newcombe Reunion Day .
Victory in the final round at Kurri Kurri would deliver that prize, return the Mercury Shield to the Sportsground and give the Pickers a week’s break going into the finals and a double chance to take out the premiership.
“It’s a huge day for us it’s our last regular season game at home, it’s Old Boys day,” Pickers captain-coach Luke Dorn said.
“I spoke to a few of the Old Boys after the game on the weekend who were very excited and I said ‘Look we need to get as many there as we can’.
“It’s important for us as the current group of Maitland players. We respect everyone who has ever played for Maitland and what they have done in giving us the opportunity to be where we are at the moment.
“We’re really excited and hopefully we can fill the ground up and have a really imposing crowd for the opposing team.”
The atmosphere at the new sportsground is second to none in the Newcastle RL and reached new heights last week when the Pickers ended a seven-year drought against Western Suburbs in a 24-22 thriller
“I know my mum, wife and nan who were in the stand were all there stressing out about how close it was,” Dorn said.
“The people of Maitland and the ex-players care about a good team and this year has been testament to that.
“The players have applied themselves amazingly and put ourselves in a position to have a good season and the community and ex-players can sense that.
“There’s no better place to watch local footy.”
The Pickers Old Boys will also celebrate the future of the game with a presentation to seven local junior rugby league representative players of a donation towards their travelling costs for their recent selections.
Old Boys spokesman Pat Warby said 2018 had been an outstanding year for talented Maitland youngsters highlighted with Pickers under-19 players Jock Madden and Timanu Alexander being picked in the Australian Schoolboys team.
Other players to be honoured are Tom Cant (East Maitland) who represented NSW under-16s in their state of origin win.
Jasper Mcgill (East Maitland) who will represent NSW Country under-16s against PNG and the Gold Coast Titans later in the year
Taj Ridley (East Maitland) NSW CCC U/15s, Noah Nailagoliva (East Maitland) NSW CHS U/15s and Billy McBickel (Bersefield) NSW CCC U/15s.
