Maitland junior Ben Wood returned from Sydney in the hope of playing regular first grade for the Wildfires.
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The 22-year-old made a handful of top-grade appearanmces for Manly last year and he will get his chance for the Wildfires against West Harbour at No.2 Sportsground on Saturday.
Wood comes in for Travis Gifford and is one of four changes from the side which went down 33-14 to Sydney University in Mudgee.
"Ben hyper-extended his elbow in the pre-season and was a bit slow to get going., Wildfires coach Scott Coelman said "He has worked his way back, is a solid, tough forward and deserves a chance. Hopefully he grabs it. There is nothing flash about him. He just does his job and is very aggressive."
In other news:
In other changes, Phil Bradford returns at hooker for Damarus Hokianga, Isaac Ulberg replaces Penikolo Latu (cork) on the wing and Nick Murray switches with Leon Fukofuka at halfback.
Ngarhue Jones, one of the leaders last season, is still working his way back to full fitness while Will Feeney has a shin issue.
West Harbour are fresh from an impressive 35-15 win over Southern Districts.
"They are a big side and are a better drilled under new coach Joe Barakat," Coleman said. "It certainly won't be easy. We need to make our tackles and play good field position."
Wildfires: 1 Faavae Sila, 2 Phil Bradford, 3 Nick Dobson, 4 Ben Wood, 5 Rob Puli'vea, 6 John Martin-Stewart, 7 Donny Freeman, 8 Lona Halohola, 9 Nick Murray, 10 Connor Winchester, 11 Ton Watson, 12 Luke Nadurutalo, 13 Nafi Tuitavake, 14 Isaac Ulberg, 15 Tute Grant
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