Newcastle Rugby League: Pickers winger Perry Le Brocque leads try scorers in maiden season

Rushed to Sydney's Royal North Shore Hospital following a neck injury in 2016, his future in the game was uncertain.

"I jumped up to take a bomb and I came down on my neck," Le Brocque, then playing with Central Coast club The Entrance, said.

"I was rushed down to Royal North Shore. It was all precautionary, but I'd lost feeling initially and I lost some co-ordination as well.

"It ended up being nerve damage, but it was a scary period at the start. A bit of a rollercoaster."

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Twelve months worth of rehabilitation followed by a season of soccer with mates in 2017, Le Brocque was given the all clear by a specialist and opted to return to his main sport.

Fast forward to 2021 and, in his first crack at Newcastle Rugby League, he leads the try-scoring list with nine from the opening eight rounds.

The 28-year-old has crossed once more than fellow Pickers winger James Bradley (8) while centre partner Tom Hughes (5) also features in the charts.

"I joke around a bit with James Bradley at training about who is beating who, but at the end of the day I'm less worried about scoring tries than winning games," Le Brocque said.

The construction manager signed for Maitland this year in what was a "big change", having grown up down the road from The Entrance's home ground and always wearing the Tigers uniform.

He's claimed three Central Coast premierships and a Ron Massey Cup in 2014, but has enjoyed the "step up" in competition.

"You've got to prove yourself and there were a lot of players vying for spots. Once I got the nod for round one I've been able to play well," Le Brocque said.

The Pickers, who have a game in hand against Kurri next month, meet leaders Central in a top-of-the-table at St John Oval on Sunday.

"I think it will come down to whoever can play the full 80 minutes," he said.

Maitland coach Matt Lantry describes Le Brocque as a "consistent performer" with a "good footy IQ".

Lantry said Hughes was a "50-50 chance" of playing against the Butcher Boys but Matt Allwood looks set for an "extended lay off" up to six weeks following shoulder injuries sustained last start.

Meanwhile, the hosts will be minus Dylan Phythian with the Central playmaker serving a one-match suspension for a careless tackle.

* CESSNOCK are set to celebrate a milestone this weekend with Sam Apthorpe notching up his 100^th game for the club.

* NOVOCASTRIAN pair Hannah Southwell and Yasmin Meakes have retained their positions in the NSW women's State of Origin squad.

The Blues made the announcement earlier this week with Cameron Park's Southwell at lock and Cardiff South's Meakes, now based at Scone, on the wing.

Former CRL Newcastle duo Isabelle Kelly and Holli Wheeler also made coach Kylie Hilder's team, who tackle title holders Queensland on the Sunshine Coast on June 25.

Upper Hunter product Brydie Parker is one of two emergencies.

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