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Billy’s backing the Goannas to bite back

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Cessnock’s representative hooker Billy Gilbert is confident the Goannas can shake the “mid-season blues” and return to form in the Tooheys Newcastle Rugby League (Real NRL).

The 2020 premiers suffered a crushing 43-16 defeat at the hands of the Maitland Pickers in round 12 to slip into third position on the ladder – two points ahead of the Macquarie Scorpions.

But, after two COVID draws to the Lakes United Seagulls and Wyong Roos in the past fortnight, the side is ready to face the Central Newcastle Butcher Boys at the Cessnock Sportsground on 17 July.

“I reckon the next three-to-four weeks is massive for us, going into the finals,” Gilbert said.

“We need to start stringing some wins together.

“At the moment, I guess we’re suffering a bit of the mid-season blues.

“That’s what I call it.

“It’s cold and it’s harder for people to motivate themselves.

“They turn on the bloody sprinklers [here] and get us to roll around on the wet ground.

“It’s freezing; I can understand why the boys don’t turn up on a Tuesday night,” he added with a laugh.

“However, I know once the weather warms up a little bit at the back end of the season, the boys will fire up again.”

Gilbert, in his first year with the Goannas, has certainly made every post a winner in 2021.

After starring in the earlier games, he gained the attention of Newcastle selectors for the recent Tri Series, with the Rebels stunning both Illawarra and Canberra.

He also picked up man of the match honours at Wollongong.

“I turned up for the Cessnock trial on 14 February – and it’s all fallen into place,” Gilbert said.

“It’s a very strong competition.

“The guys don’t realise how good they can be out here.

“But, I’m enjoying my time with the Goannas; in fact, I love it.”

Gilbert said the drubbing, to the 2020 President’s Cup champions, was a “learning curve”.

“To be honest, I’ve already forgotten about it,” he told the Newcastle Weekly.

“I’m thinking about when we play them again next.

“There’s certainly areas we can improve on, like discipline.

“We gave away eight or nine penalties in the first half [against Maitland].

“Our enthusiasm is lacking a bit, too.

“So, we just need to find a way to put a log on the fire – and stoke it up again.”

Tooheys Newcastle Rugby League

Round 14 results:

Western Suburbs Rosellas 12 (Liam Wiscombe, Ryan Walker tries; Logan Radzievic 2 goals) defeated Central Newcastle Butcher Boys 8 (Kyle Avery try; Randall Briggs, Luke Walsh goals)

Macquarie Scorpions 16 (Ro Buaserau, Andrew Sumner, Fletcher Myers tries; Kerrod Holland 2 goals) defeated Kurri Kurri Bulldogs 4 (Kade Hardy try)

Maitland Pickers v Lakes United Seagulls – COVID draw

South Newcastle Lions v The Entrance Tigers – COVID draw

Wyong Roos v Cessnock Goannas – COVID draw

Round 15 draw:

Saturday 17 July –

3pm: Cessnock Goannas v Central Newcastle Butcher Boys (Cessnock Sportsground)

3pm: Macquarie Scorpions v Lakes United Seagulls (Lyall Peacock Oval)

3pm: South Newcastle Lions v Western Suburbs Rosellas (Townson Oval)

Wyong Roos v Kurri Kurri Bulldogs – COVID draw

The Entrance Tigers v Maitland Pickers – COVID draw

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