FORSTER-Tuncurry coach Phil Adamson has been forced to make some late adjustments to the side to play Wingham in the opening round of the Group Three Rugby League competition at Tuncurry on Sunday.
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"Luke Ross has done a hamstring so he's out and Riley Glover picked up a bit of an ankle in the rep match, so we'll be checking on him,'' Adamson said.
Ross is on the comeback trail for the Hawks this year.
Adamson also had to make one unexpected change.
"We had a bit of a presentation of shirts for the first grade players at training this week,'' Adamson explained.
"We wanted to make a bit of a thing of it.'
"But then one of the wingers told me he can't play for the first two weeks, because he's just got a tattoo on his back.''
That's just some of the challenges country footy can present.
Adamson will play newcomer Keda Moylan at five-eighth, although he admits this is experimental. Moylan started last season with Old Bar but moved to Muswellbrook mid-year. He is better known as a five-eighth.
Another newcomer. experienced prop Matt Wakefield will be in the starting side and will form part of the leadership group of three.
Adamson said numbers have been strong at training.
"We've had a couple of reserve graders turn up in the last couple of sessions,'' he said.
"And with numbers builds pressure, Last year players were just turning up to get a game, this season they'll have to earn their spot and that's the way it should be.''
Sunday will also be the clubs day for sponsors.
"So we want to start the season on a good note,'' Adamson said.
The Hawks have endured a couple of lean seasons but Adamson is confident the club is on the way back.
He said the club has a number of promising juniors looking to earn a spot in first grade this season.
Adamson added the return of experienced forward Matt Kirkland will be another major bonus for the club.
