FORSTER-Tuncurry coach Phil Adamson will closely monitor the fitness of match winning fullback Keda Moylan as the Group Three Rugby League competition's first round concludes this weekend.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Moylan will miss Sunday's game against co-competition leaders Wauchope at Tuncurry. He aggravated a shoulder injury in Forster's hard fought 16-4 win over Port Macquarie last weekend. He's had problems with the shoulder previously.
"Keda thinks he'll only miss the one game, so hopefully that'll be the case,'' Adamson said.
Moylan started the season at five-eighth but has looked more comfortable since moving to his more accustomed spot at fullback in the last two games.
Adamson has called Jake Bolt into the side at fullback.
The Hawks will get second rower Blake Richardson back from injury this weekend. However, top forwards Matt Kirkland and Luke Ross will again be sidelined with injury.
"I'll give them this week and the next game, then there's no football because of the long weekend,'' Adamson said,
"They should be right after that.''
Adamson pointed out the Hawks face a torrid couple of weeks, with games against Wauchope on Sunday following by Wingham at Wingham.
"Wingham's apparently improved since the first round and they'll be keen to get revenge,'' Adamson pointed out.
The Hawks upset the Tigers in the opening game of the season.
However, he's more concerned about this weekend's encounter. The Hawks go into the game on the back of successive wins and they've now moved to equal fourth with Port Macquarie. If Forster can beat the Blues and Wingham down the Sharks, Forster will have a two point buffer going into the second round.
"That'd certainly be handy,'' Adamson said.
He added the Hawks have shown considerable improvement in the last fortnight, particularly in defence.
"This is a home game and it was our goal to win all our matches at home this season,'' Adamson said.
Wauchope will be going into the game following their first loss of the season when going down to Macleay Valley 20-19 last week in a thriller at Wauchope.