Goannas no easy beats as Pickers look for win
SAM RIGNEY
10/07/2009 8:41:00 AM
It doesn’t get any easier for the Maitland Pickers in their first season back in the Toohey’s Cup.
This Saturday at Maitland Sportsground the ninth-placed Pickers, currently on a five-loss losing streak, take on the high-flying Cessnock Goannas who are undefeated in their last 10 matches.
The Goannas sit in first place, three points clear of early leaders Central Charlestown, who they beat 32-12 last week.
In a boost for the Pickers, the Goannas will be without Newcastle Knights flier Cooper Vuna for the clash, as well as representative hooker Chris Adams.
Vuna missed last week’s game with an arm injury and according to Cessnock club secretary David Cleave the injury will keep him out again on Saturday.
Adams, who was not going to start for the Goannas because of representative duties, broke his right arm training for NSW residents in preparation for the curtain raiser for Origin III at Suncorp Stadium.
Maitland Pickers coach Noel Dent said the game was a big test for his side, but they were looking forward to it.
“It just doesn’t get any easier,” Dent said.
“It’s a big game and against Cessnock your season can be over in a blink. They’re at the peak of their form at the moment and are definitely the side to beat.”
Dent pinpointed the Goanna’s size as their advantage against the much smaller Pickers pack.
“We’ve got to defend them in the middle of the park,” Dent said.
“Sione (Finefeuiaki) is the form forward in the competition and you’ve got to take ground off him, you can’t stand still and let him run at you because he’ll run right through.”
Dent said, while it was good news the Pickers won’t have to worry about stars Vuna and Adams on Saturday, they had injuries of their own to be concerned with.
“Kyle Payne is definitely out after injuring his arm against Souths next week,” Dent said.
Despite naming Vern Moana-Mason and Mitch Cox in the side Dent said he wasn’t sure if the pair would be ready. “Vern hasn’t played for five weeks and were not sure if we’ll have the services of Sione Tovo from the Knights.”The Pickers face the Goannas at Maitland Sportsground on Saturday with first grade kick off at 3pm.
The Pickers team: 1. Joel Osborne 2. Hayden Crouch 3. Matt Nolan 4. Blake Steel 5. Luke Gibson 6. Jaime Battye 7. Joel Burraston 8. Damien Frize 9. Jye Bayley 10. Shane O’Sullivan 11. Luke Garrard 12. Vern Moana-Mason 13. Joel Marston 14. Larry Taufua 15. Mitch Cox.
Source :
www.maitlandmercury.com.au
