Maitland coach Matt Lantry will be using almost every one of his available player points in this year's President's Cup campaign following the late signings of James Taylor, Faitotoa Faitotoa and Henry Penn ahead of round one this weekend.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Pickers, who joined the newly formed NSW Rugby League competition after Newcastle's first grade premiership was cancelled last month because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the other eight teams can use a maximum of 100 points per game.
All players, bar Maitland marquee Sam Mataora, who is exempt with 63 NRL games next to his name, are allocated points based on prior experiences, time at the club or junior links.
"We're pretty much right on it," Lantry said.
"We're sitting at 93 at the moment, but with our best team on the park we'd probably be 98.
"It's something we're going to have to manage, but why leave any [points] in the shed."
A salary cap wasn't implemented for President's Cup but Lantry has previously said Pickers players would be taking a pay cut for 2020.
Taylor will fly in from Queensland on Thursday and potentially start in the front row against three-time defending Ron Massey Cup premiers the Wentworthville Magpies at Ringrose Park on Sunday.
Lantry said that would be Taylor's weekly routine for the next couple of months with the former Knights lower-grader and Kiwi junior representative, who won a Newcastle title with Souths in 2016, based north of the border.
Taylor, who used to play with fellow Maitland forward Sam Anderson at Redcliffe, was set to line up for Souths Logan in Q-Cup before the coronavirus crisis.
Pending registration protocols before kick-off, Faitotoa (Souths Logan) and Penn (Kurri) would also likely come into the 17.
"They all really help strengthen our squad," Lantry said.
Peter Cronin, Jarrom Haines and Matt Allwood are no longer playing for the Pickers this year.
Wests Illawarra and Thirroul Butchers were added to President's Cup this week making it a nine-team competition, which now means eight regular rounds and a top-four finals series played over a fortnight in mid September. Maitland's first home game will be against Dubbo CYMS on July 25.
PRESIDENT'S CUP: Round 1 v Wentworthville Magpies (A); Round 2 v Dubbo CYMS (H); Round 3 v Hills Bulls (A); Round 4 v Bye; Round 5 v Western Rams (H); Round 6 v Thirroul Butchers (A); Round 7 v Wests Illawarra (H); Round 8 v North Sydney Bears (H); Round 9 v Glebe Burwood Wolves (A).
While you're with us, did you know the Newcastle Herald offers breaking news alerts, daily email newsletters and more? Keep up to date with all the local news - sign up here
IN OTHER NEWS
- Knights lose NSW prop Daniel Saifiti for up to six weeks as Mitch Barnett returns from injury
- Former NRL prop Tyrone Amey signs with Dora Creek Swampies ahead of season opener
- A-League: Connor O'Toole wants to 'nail down a first team spot' for Newcastle Jets
- NNSW NPL: Lee Sterreyopen to coaching return after landing back in Newcastle
- AFL Hunter Central Coast: Black Diamond Cup fixtures released for 2020