Pickers: retaining this year's signings is club's top priority

A squad bristling with new signings has been bolstered even further by players released from other clubs to join Maitland in this special one-off, pandemic affected Presidents Cup season.

But how many of them will be going around in black and white again next season when Maitland presumably return to the regular Newcastle competition?

Coach Matt Lantry has definite views on it.

"We'll be honouring our commitment to the other clubs who let players come to Maitland this year," Lantry said.

RELATED CONTENT:

"That means Henry Penn and Jarred Anderson will be heading back to Kurri for example. I expect some of our guys will be back with the Knights too.

"Our main objective will be to retain the players we signed for the start of this season."

For those confused by the sea of new faces, the Pickers' key signings included hooker and utility back, brothers Alex and Daniel Langbridge, five-eighth Chad O'Connell, second rower Pat Mata'utia and winger from Willis Alastini all from Wests, half Brock Lamb from Parramatta and utility back Jarom Haines from Kurri.

Due to workplace restrictions, Mata'utia and Haines have stood down for this season after the regular Newcastle season was cancelled, and they have yet to play a competitive match in Maitland's colours.

"Our priority is to keep those players, for sure," Lantry said.

"On a positive note we have locked up front rower James Taylor for next season from Redcliffe Dolphins. He signed a contract this week.

"Without Sam Anderson now, he's one of the players we'll really be looking to to strep up."

Anderson, at age 29, has been ruled out for the season and his plans for next season remain unclear. Fellow prop Peter Cronin, 31, who joined the club from Kurri but sat out the season for family reasons, would also be no certainty.

"They're both top players and we want to have them both playing again next season, but they're in the latter stages of their careers, so it will be up to them," Lantry said.

"I'm not saying we won't look to strengthen next season, but certainly keeping the guys we signed is key," Lantry said.

"This season has also meant some top kids have come through and grabbed their chance ... players like Cal Burgess, Cooper Jenkins. They're only 19 but they've been really impressive."

One of the grey areas for all clubs with future signings is sponsorship money, especially in the pandemic when leagues clubs and clubs that offer sponsorship support - like Club Maitland City for example - are being forced to operate on restricted numbers.

This impacts their bottom line which, in turn, raises questions on what sort of transfer kitty is available.

Do you know you can subscribe to get full access to all Maitland Mercury stories? Subscribing supports us in our local news coverage. To subscribe, click here.