Maitland coach Mick Bolch was looking for young players to shore up his squad after off-season departures.

It was a match made in heaven.

"When he rang I jumped at the chance and it has been great for me," Melmeth said. "The guys were really welcoming and I'm loving my football."

Bolch though, is equally thrilled.

"Just what we wanted," the coach said. "A young kid who would work hard to prove himself. And he did that. He trained his guts out and hasn't looked back."

Working hard is par for the course for Melmeth. Last weekend he had a GPS tracker on him and ran an amazing 13.3km during the match - and that's impressive by any standards.

"You don't realise you're doing it when you're out there," the attacking midfielder said. "We play a pressing game so we'll run more than most sides anyway.

"The good thing is that we have a whole group of young players - Ty Cousins, Flynn Goodman, those sort of guys - who are just like me, who wanted to prove themselves and cement a spot.

"It means everyone is hungry and working hard.

"I know when I turned up at the start of the season I had trained hard in the off-season and was really fit, ready to make a fresh start.

"At Maitland we have probably five or six guys who can fill the three attacking roles up front, and it's the same in the midfield.

"It makes you work hard. It has been a long time coming for me - I was on the fringe at Edgeworth and not really getting a game for what seemed ages, so now I'm in the side I want to hold on to it."

This weekend the Magpies meet Adamstown Rosebud who have struggled so far - one win from six - but then have successive blockbusters against Broadmeadow Magic and Lambton Jaffas.

Rosebud have struggled defensively - they have conceded 19 goals in the opening six rounds, which is the worst defensive record in the league.

Magic and Jaffas, sitting first and third respectively on the ladder, meet this weekend in a much anticipated clash at Magic Park.

Weston Bears, who sit mid-table, are at home to Lake Macquarie.

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