Josh Mantellato and Ryan Walker will be unexpected participants in this weekend's Newcastle Rugby League semi-finals at Maitland Sportsground.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Both are elimination matches with winners progressing to the 2020 decider at Maitland on October 18.
Wyong captain-coach Mitch Williams said Mantellato, who was part of the Roos' grand final side in 2009, will start on the right wing following an injury to Nick O'Meley (groin).
"He [Mantellato] is a pretty handy guy to be coming in at this time of year," Williams told the Newcastle Herald.
"He's rapt at the opportunity but obviously we feel for Nick, who has been one of our best all season.
"He [O'Meley] played all-but five minutes last weekend and only came off as a precaution. We didn't think it was that bad and it just didn't recover in time."
Walker avoided surgery following a nasty head knock on August 22 and after being cleared by doctors on Friday coach Todd Lowrie named the Wests playmaker on the bench.
"He's been running for a while. Scans were clear," Lowrie said. 'He'll start on the bench. See how he goes."
Souths appear at close to full strength with Tori Freenam featuring on an extended bench.
Cessnock have listed both Guy Thompson and Joe Bromage in their 18-man squad with Josh Charles set to wear the no.5 jersey.
Play gets underway at 3:30pm on both days.
Meanwhile, the Dora Creek Swampies remain free to participate in the upcoming Newcastle Hunter Community Rugby League (NCHRL) finals series but have been issued with a final breach notice by the sport's state governing body.
NSW Rugby League released a statement on Friday following an investigation into a sideline brawl during an A-grade match between Dora Creek and West Wallsend at Neville Thompson Oval on September 19.
The report found the Swampies failed to comply with a COVID-19 safety plan and failed to control supporters in accordance with national codes of conduct.
Dora Creek are now unable to host any more games this year and have been asked to: assist with identifying those involved in the incident; review security settings at the venue; register as a Racism. It Stops With Me campaign supporter; and provide a 12-month security bond of $3000.
West Wallsend were previously banned from the competition and five team members stood down by NSWRL after video footage emerged on social media. Magpies player Tyson Leota was charged by police and appeared in court last month, claiming there had been racial abuse.
Several members of the NCHRL board have stepped aside following the event. Play-offs start this weekend.
While you're with us, did you know the Newcastle Herald offers breaking news alerts, daily email newsletters and more? Keep up to date with all the local news - sign up here
IN OTHER NEWS:
Josh Callinan
My name is Josh Callinan and I'm a sports journalist at the Newcastle Herald. I started with the newspaper in 2016 after a decade at the Maitland Mercury.
My name is Josh Callinan and I'm a sports journalist at the Newcastle Herald. I started with the newspaper in 2016 after a decade at the Maitland Mercury.
