It's been three years between drinks but Jake Maizen will again have the No.1 jersey on his back at St John Oval.
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Maizen, who has returned to Central after a stint with Sydney side St Mary's, moves from the centres to fullback with regular custodian Cameron Anderson unavailable for Sunday's clash with undefeated Newcastle Rugby League leaders Wyong.
"He [Maizen] will do exactly what he's got to do," Butcher Boys coach Phil Williams said.
"He's been playing in the centres, which is a different role. He's been looking for an opportunity like this."
Williams said Dom Murphy, who is also out, will likely be replaced in the second-row by either Brad Russell or Ethan Campbell.
The mentor said utility Russell, five-eighth Jack Kelly and centre Grant Anderson all passed fitness tests at training this week.
Fijian prop Junior Roqica (work) is an uncertain starter.
Wyong, who made a last-minute switch to Newcastle RL after Central Coast cancelled their senior season, have accounted for Western Suburbs, Souths and Maitland in their first three appearances.
Tarre's Kane Evans will make his debut off the bench for Lakes at Cahill Oval on Sunday. The Seagulls host a Cessnock side bolstered by having Tyler Randell, Liam Foran, Brayden Musgrove, Ngangarra Barker and Josh Griffiths all in the same backline while Connor Kirkwood goes to lock.
Kick-off for both matches is 3pm.
Wests welcome back captain Ryan Walker but will have another different halves combination in round five with Frazer Price (knee) missing Saturday's encounter with the Pickers at Maitland Sportsground (1:45pm).
Souths have the bye but could be without Lachlan Walmsley (hand), Tori Freeman (knee), Harry van Dartel (foot) and Cal Orchard (quad) for extended periods.
Elsewhere and in the statewide President's Cup frontrunners the Pickers have a re-shuffled line-up for Saturday's clash with the Harry Siejka-led Western Rams at Maitland Sportsground (3:30pm).
New signing Jacob McCudden (The Entrance) starts in the second-row alongside Jarred Anderson, Cooper Jenkins replaces Sam Anderson (concussion) at lock while Cal Burgess and Jayden Butterfield continue front-row duties with James Taylor (Queensland border restrictions) unavailable.
Former NRL playmaker Brock Lamb returns to the halves, Daniel Langbridge slides to fullback, Matt Soper-Lawler and James Bradley will be the wingers while Henry Penn now partners Gary Anderson in the centres. Elijah Rasiga (injury) and Willis Alatini (New Zealand) are out.
Marvin Filipo, Faitotoa Faitotoa and Ben Ireland make up the bench alongside promoted Elliott Jennings.
Alex Langbridge and Chad O'Donnell stay at hooker and five-eighth respectively.
In the NSW Women's Premiership and ladder leaders the Central Coast Roosters, featuring many of last year's victorious CRL Newcastle squad, can make it four straight results when they meet the winless Wentworthville Magpies at Campbelltown Stadium on Saturday (11am).
NSW Rugby League announced on Friday that grand finals for the President's Cup, Women's Premiership and Sydney Shield will all be held at Parramatta's Bankwest Stadium on September 27.
In the Newcastle Hunter Community Rugby League competitions and University's A-grade men remains sidelined with coronavirus concerns while the Seahorses' A-grade ladies league tag side resumes against Stroud after a week off.
In the junior ranks Western Suburbs' 30-plus teams are due back on the paddock this weekend after the club's committee approved "a return to training and games" from Tuesday because of "no new COVID-19 cases". The Rosellas sidelined all junior players last weekend following Newcastle's three positive coronavirus tests, which included two high school students.
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