Hayden Pedersen returns on the wing and Brendan Holliday has been named at fullback as Lake Macquarie coach Gareth Palamo goes with the "strongest team possible" against Nelson Bay in a bid to take momentum into the Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union finals series.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Roos are locked in fifth spot but enter the final round having lost to Maitland (43-10), Hamilton (43-26) and Merewether (19-15).
The Gropers are again depleted by injury but will be desperate to finish an underwhelming year on a high at home.
"I'm trying to play the strongest team possible and be thinking about what we have to do the following week," Palamo said. "We are coming of a couple of losses as well. Yes, I want to try a couple of things but at the same time we need to build momentum."
"It was very pleasing to get Brendan back," Palamo said. "He plays a big part in what we are trying to achieve. He will get some time, but he has only just come back so you don't want to break him."
Pedersen has only played a handful of games, but adds another dimension to the attack.
In the forwards, Dylan Heins, Marlon Solofuti and Willie Fraser add size and experience.
The Roos went to uncontested scrums late against Maitland after an injury to Tim Poese. Fellow bookend Wendall Wilson has also been struggling.
"We had a couple go down in the front row," Palamo said. "There is nothing you can do if you don't have any on the bench. I will be praying every day that they are good to go for the finals. They are not serious injuries but they are enough. We are just trying to get them through to the finish line."
