Pickers 'asterisk' premiership victory .... but what a gutsy effort

The season when the Maitland Pickers found themselves in the one-off Presidents Cup competition playing unfamiliar teams such as Wentworthville, Dubbo CYMS, North Sydney, Thirroul and Glebe Burwood Wolves.

The opposition was new all right, but make no mistake ... it was a tough competition.

And the Pickers' nail-biting 17-16 grand final win over Glebe Burwood on Sunday was a beauty, one that local football fans can rightly savour.

No, it wasn't the usual competition against the traditional rivals, but this was a brave win all the same.

And if ever there was any doubt about how the Presidents Cup campaign would be received by the public, you only had to be at Club Maitland City when the team walked in with the premiership trophy on Sunday night.

"It was incredible," coach Matt Lantry said.

"The club was as full as it could be with the crowd restrictions in place and the reception was fantastic. The guys all walked in together and the place just erupted into applause. It was really satisfying."

As far as grand finals go, it was a cracker. Glebe Burwood had a monster pack and this was two quality sides not giving an inch. Last man standing sort of stuff.

"We talked all week about how this was an opportunity to do something that had never been done before," Lantry said.

"I know it is a different premiership to what Maitland has notched up in the past - and yes, it will always have an asterisk after it.

"But these guys were representing Maitland and this was a tough competition in so many ways ... the travelling, the fact we knew so little about the opposition, that so many of our guys were new to the club.

"And Glebe Burwood were full of Newtown and South Sydney NSW Cup players. That was a good side.

"But our guys came together as a team and represented Maitland with pride. It's a premiership that is full of merit, no doubt.

"As a matter of fact after the game a number of players players from both sides were saying it was the fastest, most physical match they had played."

The scoreline will show that halfback Brock Lamb's field goal separated the two sides.

In reality, Maitland were unfortunate that Glebe Burwood got to within a point. They were awarded a try in the corner midway through the second half - which was converted - when the player had been taken into touch shortly before putting the ball down.

And, at this point, special mention should go to Pickers skipper Alex Langbridge.

He had another strong game, and was the player who made the tackle. Despite his heavy workload up the middle, he somehow found the energy to come across in cover defence, dive full length and take the winger out just before the corner. For those old enough to remember, it was Pannowitz like.

"Alex was named man of the match and also the Presidents Cup player of the year," Lantry said.

"But yeah, that covering tackle was exceptional. To get across there and then make the tackle, not many hookers could do that.

"He was cramping up at the end, and he had the shakes after the game. He gave it absolutely everything.

"He said if the game had gone into extra time, he wouldn't have been able to go on - and I believe him."

It summed up the grit of a side that didn't really know what to expect when they ran out for the first game against Wentworthville, but who were only beaten once all season.

Stars? Where do you start?

Halfback Lamb again pulled the strings - with five eighth Chad O'Donnell out injured, he stood up under pressure playing a key role in two tries - and the front rowers James Taylor, Jayden Butterfield and Sam Anderson were strong up the middle against big, formidable opposition.

Daniel Langbridge, moved to five eighth, was dangerous before a hamstring injury forced him off early in the second half. But it gets to the point where every player could get a mention.

So too could coach Lantry. He joined the club this season, lured some top playing talent and then pushed for the move to the state wide competition after the regular Newcastle season was cancelled.

And now he has a premiership to show for it.

Yes, season 2020 will carry an asterisk. But the Pickers put out a side the city could be proud of - Presidents Cup premiers no less. Asterisk or no asterisk.