Premierhip winning coach Matt Lantry caused a shock when he left Wests to join the Pickers. RICK ALLEN sat down to talk with him.
In most people's eyes, it would be the plum job of the Newcastle Rugby league, coach of the highly successful - and seriously cashed up - Wests Rosellas.
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So why would Matt Lantry leave them after winning the comp and seeing all four teams in action on grand final day, to join Maitland?
"I spoke with Pickers president Frank Lawler and it was all over pretty quickly. I would stay at Wests," Lantry said. "But then I asked myself what could I do at Wests to raise the bar? We'd won the title, had all four teams in the grand final, we had three local juniors in the team - that was unusual for Wests who tend to buy players.
"And I'm a Maitland boy. I thought if I don't take it now, it might be another five years before the job comes up again. So I rang Frank back, I think that surprised him."
At the time Wests were is the semis and preparing for a shot at the title. How did the news go down with the players?
"I made sure I spoke to them first, so they heard it from me.
"It was difficult because we had become a very tight-knit team, but we're all professional and I knew they would understand.
"They took it in their stride and got on with the job, just as I knew they would."
THE SQUAD:
"The forwards were the strength last season - Jayden Butterfield, Sam Anderson, Brenton Horwood and so on - but discipline was a big problem. Too many penalties, and not hanging in games when the going was tough. They'd let in too many points.
"One month out from the semis, the Pickers were third but had the worst defence in the comp.
"We'll have a very tough pre season and get ready. They're paid too well these days to cut corners.
"There was also a lack of depth and we need to fix that. The reserve grade finished last. When you're one of the top 17 players, you're going to feel pretty comfortable about things if the reserve grade are losing every week. I want competition for places. Some players thrive on that, when challenged they stand and fight ... others run away."
RECRUITS:
The Pickers have been active with a number of players already signed - four from Lantry's previous club Wests.
"Alex Langbridge (hooker), Chad O'Donnell (five-eighth) and Pay Mata'utia (second row) are all Newcastle representative players, and Daniel Langbridge can play in six or seven. They're all quality additions, both on and off the field.
"Then we have Tyler Randell who's back from Wakefield in the UK. I think he'll probably play lock - he has the skills I want for that position - with Alex and Jarrod Smith playing nine."
One of the big problems last season was the halves. Thoughts?
"At this stage Chad O'Donnell will be five eighth, with either Jeremy Gibson or Daniel Langbridge at half. I like Jeremy, he can point a side around the park and I think Chad would help him in that regard."
And Geordie Connelly?
"We're still negotiating. I'd like to keep him, but I think his best spot is left centre. We're working on keeping Matt Allwood too."
LOCAL JUNIORS
"They're vital to what we're trying to build. As a matter of fact we have an information session coming up soon at Club Maitland City for local juniors. I want them to know they have a pathway to the Pickers. We'll encourage them, look after them, give them their chance and not stand in their way if they want to go on to bigger things. I want to build a strong relationship with all five local junior clubs.
"The players we've recruited are hand-picked - guys we want to be there when the juniors come up. Under 19 guys like Kingsley Jennings, Declan Keegan, Kamillo Tuivati and Shawn Casey are the future, but they're not quite ready yet."
NEXT SEASON
So, is it a rebuilding season or is a premiership realistic?
"I don't like the word rebuilding as it seems a bit of a cop out. I think last season making the top four was the best Maitland could hope for. Next season I want to make the top four, but with the premiership a realistic goal."
ANY MORE SIGNINGS?
"We'll see, but I'm starting to feel pretty comfortable about the squad.
"It has a strong spine which is important. Greg Morris is a top fullback - each game plan we had against Maitland last season included limiting his impact as much as we could.
"The halves look good, the hooking is strong, and we have Tyler Randell around the action too.
"And normally you get a few players from other clubs who come along looking for a chance to show what they've got. So all in all we're looking pretty good."
COACHES:
My assistant coach will be Darren Taylor who has been with me at Wests. He's great ... he knows what I want and it means you don't have to spend time trying to bring a newcomer up to scratch.
"Reserve grade coach will Brad Hafey, also from Wests reserves.
"Jye Bailey will coach the 19s. He won the competition with Singleton last season. Her replaces Dane Tilse who has joined Central - he lives down that way.
"The one position to fill is third grade coach. It's a position we must get right. It's the person who will coach the juniors when they first come through and I think it really important he teaches them what we're looking for, the culture we want, what it takes to be successful at grade level."
INFORMATION NIGHT:
On Monday night, October 28 the club will hold an information night for junior clubs and players about joining the Pickers.
"It's about improving our relationship with the junior clubs and making it as easy as possible for junior players to make the transition to grade football. They're our future. It's open to anyone who wants to come along."
SPONSORS
Club Maitland City have been brilliant and we're on a secure financial footing. And we have a new major sponsor in Andrew Hughes' A-Plus Contracting, that's really significant. I want to continue to build relationships with our sponsors.
"And I want to get the Maitland community behind us too. I want to make the Sportsground a fortress and with a big local crowd for home games."