Macquarie coach Steve Kidd is hoping to celebrate the Scorpions return to Lyall Peacock Oval with a victory at the expense of Central Coast powerhouse Wyong this weekend.
After three weeks “on the road”, the Tooheys Newcastle Rugby League (Real NRL) outfit heads back to its “traditional home” at Toronto sitting nicely in fourth spot on the NSWRL Denton Cup ladder.
Despite dropping their season opener to The Entrance Tigers 22-12, the Macquarie boys have responded in the best possible fashion, accounting for the South Newcastle Lions 22-10 and Western Suburbs Rosellas 18-10 in the past fortnight.
And, the popular mentor would like to continue that winning momentum on Saturday 17 April.
“It was a tough beginning down at The Entrance,” Kidd said.
“We thought we’d gotten away to a really good start; however we capitulated a bit in the second half.
“The guys just couldn’t hold the footy.
“The past two weeks have been a little bit better and I’ve seen a bit more improvement in us.
“We’re not far away from where we want to be.
“But, in saying that, there is heaps of improvement left in the side – and plenty more work to do.
“There are so many new players at the club still gelling.
“In another six-to-eight weeks, we should be in a good place.
“However, it’s vital to pick up some wins along the way.
“I know everyone’s looking forward to our first game at Lyall Peacock in 2021.”
Kidd admitted the newcomers, led by former NRL star Kerrod Holland and talented rep player Luke Higgins, had bolstered the Scorpions squad.
“They’ve been really good,” he told the Newcastle Weekly.
“Kerrod’s a professional and his attitude is great.
“He’s terrific with the young blokes, too.
“Luke’s come across from Souths.
“He played with the NSW Pioneers last year and adds a bit of experience to the line-up.
“The main thing we brought in [this season] is all our new guys are good blokes.
“They’re here for the right reasons.
“It makes a huge difference when you’re trying to put a new side together.
“And, it’s important to have good people around you.
“We had a bit of an exodus after 2019. So, we went with trying to get some young blokes and put a few guys with plenty of know-how around them.
“Now, it’s just more about a good balance of experience and youth; but mainly good people on and off the field.
“That helps gel everything together.”
The Roos, who trounced the Lakes United Seagulls 34-10 in their recent outing, will prove a difficult opponent too, according to Kidd.
“They’re a really good side,” he said.
“Wyong boasts a sharp hooker in Mitch Williams, some good halves and a couple of really good front-rowers.
“We just need to complete our sets really – I know it’s a cliché.
“However, we have to control the footy.
“If we do that, we can score points against any team.
“Our issue’s been holding the ball for long periods.
“We’ve made it hard for ourselves at times in the past few weeks.
“Luckily, we have also shown enough grit to get out of trouble.
“Hopefully, this weekend, we can just complete a lot better.
“I think it’s probably going to be wet.
“So, we’ll need to hold the footy and get in that grind with them [the Roos].
“But, I’ve got no illusions of what we have to do to beat them.”
In the remaining Saturday matches, the Seagulls face the Cessnock Goannas, the Kurri Kurri Bulldogs host the Rosellas and the Maitland Pickers meet the Lions.
On Sunday, the Central Newcastle Butcher Boys tackle the Tigers.
2021 Tooheys Newcastle Rugby League
Round three results:
Macquarie Scorpions 18 (Royce Geoffrey, Joe Woodbury, Luke Higgins, Ro Buaserau tries; Kerrod Holland goal) defeated Western Suburbs Rosellas 10 (Hayden Loughrey, Max Buderus tries; Michael Hendry goal)
Kurri Kurri Bulldogs 16 (Barry McGrady, Brady Hammond, Lewis Hughes tries; Ethan Niszczot 2 goals) defeated The Entrance Tigers 10 (Jyris Glamuzina, Kyle McCudden tries; Josh Mantellato goal)
Central Newcastle Butcher Boys 32 (Kurt Donoghoe 2, Dylan Phythian, Cameron Anderson, Ethan Campbell, Timothy Christie tries; Jack Kelly 3, Dylan Phythian goals) defeated South Newcastle Lions 12 (Marshall Sing, Corey Brown tries; Jason Keelan goals)
Cessnock Goannas 24 (Gerome Burns, Denzel Burns, Wyatt Shaw, Brent Mendyk tries; Adrian Davis 4 goals) defeated Maitland Pickers 22 (Chad O’Donnell 2, Matthew Allwood, Daniel Ticehurst tries; Brock Lamb 3 goals)
Wyong Roos 34 (Mitch Williams, Cody Boyle, Lachlan Hanneghan, Kye Martin, Lincoln Tubridy, Jake Lewis tries; Hanneghan 5 goals) defeated Lakes United Seagulls 10 (Nash Lofberg, Jake O’Meley tries; Nash Birch goal)
Round four draw:
NSWRL Denton Cup
Saturday 17 April –
3pm: Lakes United Seagulls v Cessnock Goannas (Cahill Oval)
3pm: Macquarie Scorpions v Wyong Roos (Lyall Peacock Oval)
3pm: Kurri Kurri Bulldogs v Western Suburbs Rosellas (Kurri Kurri Sportsground)
3pm: Maitland Pickers v South Newcastle Lions (Maitland Sportsground)
Sunday 18 April –
3pm: Central Newcastle Butcher Boys v The Entrance Tigers (St John’s Oval)
Reserve grade
Saturday 17 April –
1.30pm: Lakes United Seagulls v Cessnock Goannas (Cahill Oval)
1.30pm: Macquarie Scorpions v Northern Hawks (Lyall Peacock Oval)
1.30pm: Kurri Kurri Bulldogs v Western Suburbs Rosellas (Kurri Kurri Sportsground)
1.30pm: Maitland Pickers v South Newcastle Lions (Maitland Sportsground)
Bye: Central Newcastle Butcher Boys
Under-19s
Saturday 17 April –
12.15pm: Lakes United Seagulls v Cessnock Goannas (Cahill Oval)
12.15pm: Macquarie Scorpions v Northern Hawks (Lyall Peacock Oval)
12.15pm: Maitland Pickers v South Newcastle Lions (Maitland Sportsground)
Bye: Central Newcastle Butcher Boys
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