MAITLAND Pickers have one eye on the 2022 season as they wait to see if they are able to finish the disrupted 2021 season.
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The club is anxiously waiting for Friday, September 10 to roll around - the date the Pickers learn their fate as to whether or not they will be able to complete the 2021 season which was thrown into disarray due to Covid.
Despite the club's current state of limbo, it hasn't stopped members from planning for 2022 and even the 2023 season.
First Grade Coach, Matt Lantry, is locked in for the next three seasons as is Second Grade Coach Brad Hafey, which allows stability for the players in making there decisions about there future as well.
Sam Anderson, Alex and Dan Langbridge, James Taylor, Jayden Butterfield, Faitotoa Faitotoa, Brock Lamb, Chad O'Donnell and Gary Anderson have all signed multi year contracts, with Matt Soper Lawler, Jimmy Bradley and Perry Le Broque all expected to do they same in the next few days.
That gives us great stability to build around these experienced guys and the younger guys in the club are working hard to get into first grade and play with these guys.
Maitland Juniors 'Tommy Cant, Noah Nailagoliva, Taj Ridley and Lachlan Matthews have all made there first grade debuts this year and 17 and 18 years of age.
Matt Lantry really enjoys giving the young blokes a crack in first grade when he feels as though they are ready, and the good thing is there going into a very good side with experienced players that look after them.
All they have to do is there own job which makes things a lot easier for them.
The club as a whole is in great shape and were leading the club championships when Covid stopped play on August 6.
First grade were sitting first, second grade were sitting fourth and U19s were sitting third and our ladies league tag were second in there competition.
We also had a very good U17s team this year that got better every week and we are looking forward to seeing these boys progress through to the U19s in 2022.
All in all the club is in good shape but this cannot be achieved without the hard work of many people in the background and the tremendous financial support we get from the Maitland businesses and community, especially Club Maitland City and A Plus Contracting just to name a few.
Let's hope we get to finish off 2021 but if not the future is looking bright at Maitland Pickers.