STUNG by their narrow loss last week against defending premiers Orange CYMS, Workmens Club Wolves will be keen to get back into the winners list when they take on Bathurst Panthers tomorrow at the Lithgow Sportsground.
It has been a mixed up couple of weeks with training being disrupted due to a number of the Wolves’ players representing Group 10.
The Van Veen brothers and Matt Mizzi have been asked to play on the Saturday for Group 10 and then back up on the Sunday for the Wolves which is not the most ideal situation. This will be the case again this weekend when Group 10 take on Group 11.
“There is nothing you can do about it,” coach Graeme Osborne said.
“But in saying that, the representative boys gave their all against CYMS and I could not have asked more from them.
“It would be easy to pull out of the back up game, but they showed their loyalty to their teammates and we are glad that they have.”
The Wolves have named virtually the same side that local supporters had seen in their first game at home against Mudgee with the exception of speedy winger Reece Finlay who is out with injury.
Coming into his place is the promising Blake Sheppeard who is making a comeback to the game after suffering a leg injury that kept him out for virtually all of 2011.
On show again with be their new halves Jamie Clark and Taff Nicolas who made such an impression in their debut game.
The full side is: Jonathan Van Veen, Blake Sheppeard, Cory Willmott, Scott Fittler, Jeremy Fittler, Taff Nicolas, Jamie Clark, Alex Byrne, Aaron Christie Johnson, Chris Rhodes, Brendon Van Veen, Matt Mizzi, Dan George, Josh Howarth, Brendon West, Ben Trupkovic and Mitch Noon.
First division:
First division coach Joe Inzitari has named a good side and will be hoping that his boys will play to their full potential.
On paper they have a strong side, but in the past couple of weeks have not played up to expectations.
The first division side is: Ben Hews, Blake Gillard, Tait Bresac, Brad Pender, Harry Knight, Evan Hughes, Brodie Casey, Brad Morris, Zac Jones, Aaron Manton, Dallas Smith, Jarrod Dowsett, Kyle Walsh, Connor Favell, Brett Nightingale, Aaron Crowder, Josh Staines, Juzen Takahara, Tim Aylot, Joel Stapleton, Todd Whitelock, Glen Monaghan, Makr Northey, Brendon Swift and Brent Brogan.
Under 18:
Coach Wally Glasson has been pleased with his young side’s efforts and although they have only one win in their three games, they have played some good football.
The side has come together this year and are still working out each other’s play.
Five eighth Dylan Battersby has been a shining light and is a player to watch.
The full side is: Josh Lewis, Hayden Crowder, Harley Osland, Keelan Bresac, Jacob Gillespie, Dylan Battersby, Trent Sutherland, Cameron Chang, Kynan Murray, Jarrard Warboyes, Nick Inzitari, Ben Glasson, Joel Kersten, James Perry, keegan brain, Matthew Trapp, Jake Gale, Luke Morris, Luke Amos, Hayden Cornwell and Chris Boyd-Skinner.
It will be a huge day of rugby league at the Lithgow Showground and local fans are urged to get to the ground early to watch the Lithgow Workmens Club’s Oz Tag girls team go around against Bathurst Panthers with their game kicking off the day at 11am.
The Wolves’ Under 18, first division and premier league matches will follow the women’s game, with the premier league game set down to start around 2.30pm.
