Central Newcastle have ridden the wave of seven unbeaten starts all the way from last place to Sunday's major semi-final. But the last time the Butcher Boys found themselves on the wrong side of the scoreboard, back on July 14, was an afternoon they'd rather forget. It was a 61-0 hiding at the hands of upcoming opponents and Newcastle Rugby League minor premiers Western Suburbs. "We haven't mentioned it," Central coach Phil Williams said. "I haven't even watched the tape. They [Wests] were 20-0 up after 30 minutes, then it was 40 at half-time and you're thinking how did that just happen. "But that's the footy side they've got. There's five blokes with NRL experience. "Our challenge is this 80 minutes, turning up and having a go." Central will arrive at Harker Oval having accounted for defending champions South Newcastle 30-24 in Sunday's qualifying semi-final at Maitland Sportsground. The Butcher Boys broke the deadlock in the dying minutes when second-rower Matt Koellner put up an unplanned bomb before the last tackle, forcing a Souths mistake in front of the posts. "He can take a couple more of them if the result is the same," Williams said about the team's new kick option. "No one was expecting it, not even him, but he got hold of it. I think it brought rain." Williams continues to sing the praises of younger Central players like Kurt Donoghoe, Ethan Campbell, Tyler Doney and Brett Botham, who have all made first grade debuts during 2019. "Just the way they've adapted," he said. "When the young guys have come in to debut they've all been so comfortable." READ MORE: New lease of life for Al Lantry at Harker Oval in 2019 Wests had last weekend off but coach Matt Lantry has yet to finalise his 17-man squad, with a call set to be made after training on Saturday morning. "It will be a tough decision whatever way we go, because whoever misses out probably deserves to be playing first grade," the Maitland-bound Rosellas mentor said. The winner books a spot in the September 22 decider at McDonald Jones Stadium. In Saturday's minor semi-final at Cessnock Sportsground, Souths and hosts the Goannas face elimination from the title race. Souths coach Andrew Ryan said prop Cameron King "came through training ok" on Thursday night but fellow injured trio Tom Cronan, Jason Keelan and Daniel Martine remain uncertain starters. Marvin Filipo will be considered for Cessnock.
Newcastle RL minor SF: Cessnock v Souths at Cessnock on September 7
Central Newcastle have ridden the wave of seven unbeaten starts all the way from last place to Sunday's major semi-final.
But the last time the Butcher Boys found themselves on the wrong side of the scoreboard, back on July 14, was an afternoon they'd rather forget.
It was a 61-0 hiding at the hands of upcoming opponents and Newcastle Rugby League minor premiers Western Suburbs.
Newcastle Rugby League: Central face sternest test coming up against Wests
FLASHBACK: Central Newcastle were beaten 61-0 by upcoming major semi-final opponents Western Suburbs when they last met on July 14. Picture: Jonathan Carroll
"We haven't mentioned it," Central coach Phil Williams said.
"I haven't even watched the tape. They [Wests] were 20-0 up after 30 minutes, then it was 40 at half-time and you're thinking how did that just happen.
"But that's the footy side they've got. There's five blokes with NRL experience.
"Our challenge is this 80 minutes, turning up and having a go."
The Butcher Boys broke the deadlock in the dying minutes when second-rower Matt Koellner put up an unplanned bomb before the last tackle, forcing a Souths mistake in front of the posts.
"He can take a couple more of them if the result is the same," Williams said about the team's new kick option.
"No one was expecting it, not even him, but he got hold of it. I think it brought rain."
Williams continues to sing the praises of younger Central players like Kurt Donoghoe, Ethan Campbell, Tyler Doney and Brett Botham, who have all made first grade debuts during 2019.
"Just the way they've adapted," he said. "When the young guys have come in to debut they've all been so comfortable."
Wests had last weekend off but coach Matt Lantry has yet to finalise his 17-man squad, with a call set to be made after training on Saturday morning.
"It will be a tough decision whatever way we go, because whoever misses out probably deserves to be playing first grade," the Maitland-bound Rosellas mentor said.
The winner books a spot in the September 22 decider at McDonald Jones Stadium.
In Saturday's minor semi-final at Cessnock Sportsground, Souths and hosts the Goannas face elimination from the title race.
Souths coach Andrew Ryan said prop Cameron King "came through training ok" on Thursday night but fellow injured trio Tom Cronan, Jason Keelan and Daniel Martine remain uncertain starters. Marvin Filipo will be considered for Cessnock.
