NELSON Bay co-coach Ben Whaler expects a response after a "brutal honesty session" when the Gropers take on Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union premiers Hamilton at Passmore Oval on Saturday - their finals hopes could hinge on it.
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After an insipid 48-3 loss to Merewether at Townson Oval last round that "wasn't us", Whaler said everyone, including himself and co-coach Adam Edwards, had to "aim up".
"We had a fair few out but that is no excuse for a performance like that," Whaler said. "Credit to Merewether, they were clinical. They took every opportunity and they didn't make many mistakes, and we made plenty. It was definitely not us. The effort areas are where we are normally on the front foot. We had an honesty session on Tuesday night and everyone was held accountable. Other people are talking about how we are a 'top-five side' then we need to be dishing up better than that."
The loss left the Gropers treading water in sixth place on 25 points, six points behind Lake Macquarie and 12 adrift of fourth-placed Wanderers.
"It's a case of do we want to play in the semis or are we happy to win a couple of games here and there and bow out at the end of August," Whaler said. "Everyone put their hand up and said they wanted to play finals footy. If we don't beat a couple of the teams above us then we don't deserve to be in the semis. You either have to perform or stop whinging about not being in there. We need to aim up and I think you will see a better side this weekend."
The Gropers welcome back Chad Northcott, Matt Affleck, Adam Edwards and Junior Polai.
Hamilton sit on top of the ladder and are fresh from a 103-13 demolition of Southern Beaches.
"You play footy to match yourself up against the best," Whaler said. "As far as I'm concerned, Hamilton are the benchmark. You have to play like Hamilton. They take every opportunity they get. They don't play a flashy game but they do it so well."
Merewether welcome back captain Jarome Wilson from suspension but up front is where the Greens will need to aim up against Maitland at Ernie Calland Oval.
The Maitland scrum, led by former Australian under-20 representative Harrison Chapman and Phil Bradford, is second only to Hamilton in the competition.
The set piece has been a problem area for the Greens. They recruited English bookends Dave Whiting and Charlie Brown, who arrived three weeks ago.
"Both the English guys are adapting," Merewether co-coach Mick Gill said. "It's really quick rugby here compared to home. Their scrummaging is getting better with every game. Dave also has a really good offload and is causing teams headaches."
Elsewhere Saturday, University are at home to Lake Macquarie and Wanderers travel to Singleton.
** Wallaroos star Mahalia Murphy will meet and greet Newcastle junior girls players at Dangar Park on Saturday morning. The Wallaroos go into camp here in the afternoon ahead of the Test against Japan at No.2 Sportsground next Saturday.
