But in their first competition game of the new season, let's make it official - he's not just a forward, he's a damned good one.

In a very slick opening round victory over the tough Wyong side on their home turf - with a decisive 39-6 scoreline at that - Allwood was arguably the best player on the park.

"He was very strong," Lantry said. "Those players with NRL experience, they just seem to know how to pace themselves.

"He played the full 80 minutes without problem and he was hitting really hard in defence, just as we'd hoped. He hits as hard as anyone in defence ... he thrives on the contact.

"He ran some good lines too which tested their defence. I was delighted."

Probably the other question for Maitland going in to the game was how Jarom Haines, best known for his play in the halves, would handle the centre position. Answer: two tries and a key role in a third.

"The Wyong winger came in to jam him but he caught the ball and stepped inside at the same time, causing the winger to miss and then he sent James Bradley over for the try," Lantry said. "The sort of play a lot of players wouldn't be able to do. I thought Jarom was very dangerous in general.

"And we also gave him some time at fullback too, taking Daniel Langbridge off for a rest. It's a good thing when you have players who can move about."

Second rower Pat Mata'utia and centre Tom Hughes, both also playing their first competition game for the club, were rock solid in what was a good first outing for the new boys.

In general terms, Lantry was thrilled with the performance, while acknowledging there was still a lot to work on.

"For a first up effort, it was probably as good as I've seen," he said. "But there were still a few things we need to improve, mostly timing issues with our runs, but that's to be expected. I also thought our ball control wasn't where we need it to be."

On the flip side, he was happy with the way his key organisers - half Brock Lamb, five eighth Chad O'Donnell and captain and hooker Alex Langbridge - controlled the game.

"The experience of playing together last season, and their organisational skills, it was one of the areas that I was happiest with."

This week the Pickers will get a bit of old time Coalfields rivalry when the Cessnock Goannas, Newcastle NRL premiers and coming off two straight wins, visit on Saturday in what should be a super game.

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