Fresh from their first NSW Cup win, Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles will be out to build some momentum for their season when they travel to Wollongong today.
The Sea Eagles recorded a 24-14 win over the Newcastle Knights last Sunday after trailing 10-0 before running in four second half tries.
Ethan Bullemor, Jorge Taufua, Kurt De Luis, Kaeo Weekes and James Roumanos will be available for Blacktown Workers today after not playing in Manly's NRL win last night.
“We are just starting to click as a team and are understanding how we want to win football games. It was great to see from a coaching perspective and it was a good reward for the players effort,’’ said Blacktown Workers Coach Nathan Hogan.
“In the first half, we just didn’t stick- to our game plan and had some bad last tackle options.
“We just didn’t really click into gear. At half-time, we addressed a couple of those key points and the second half was a completely different story.”
Hogan said praised NRL props Toff Sipley and Kurt De Luis for laying a solid platform for the team.
“Toff was amazing. He ran 125 metres and turned in a huge effort in defence,’’ Hogan added.
“Kurt was the players’ player, he was really good for us. He showed some strong leadership and lead from the front with 146 running metres & 37 tackles as well.
“James Segeyaro has also been a real leader for us. His experience is shining through and he is really coming into his own.”
Hogan admitted sing the team victory song was extra special after a frustrating opening month for the side.
“We’ve changed the team song this year to adapt it to the Sea Eagles team song. It’s just the ‘we’re the Blacktown boys’ now instead of ‘we’re the Manly boys’,’’ Hogan revealed.
“At our senior review at the start of the year, we really wanted to increase our connection with the top grade.
“If we can take some of those symbolic things that mean a lot to people and adapt them slightly so it has our own little spin on it, it creates a strong connection for the players and staff with the club and brings us closer together.
“The boys really earnt that win and they will take that forward into this week against the Dragons.
“There is great enthusiasm around the squad and also players pressing for positions, so it’s a good place to be at the moment.”
Round 6 NSW Cup
St George-Illawarra Dragons vs Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles
WIN Stadium, Wollongong
Sunday, April 17. Kick-off 1.40pm.
