WESTERN Suburbs coach Todd Lowrie said the Rosellas have started to keep things simple.
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Completing sets, playing down the other end of the field and holding onto the ball.
It might not seem like much but they are key footy elements and helps to explain why Wests have been able to string together three straight wins after starting the season 0-6.
"I think we've been a bit more patient with what we do," Lowrie said about the recent turn in fortunes.
"We've changed our attack a little as well, but it's mainly been about getting back to basics. Keeping things simple like completing sets, playing down the other end and holding onto the ball.
"There's no magic formula but that all helps."
Wests have accounted for Wyong (18-4), The Entrance (32-14) and Lakes (14-0) in recent weeks to take themselves off the bottom of the Newcastle Rugby League ladder and within striking distance of the top five.
Lowrie's not surprised to see such an even competition in 2021.
"I thought that's the way the season would go to be honest," he said.
"There's a couple of stand outs but everyone else is on a pretty level pegging. So we're not thinking about that [ladder], we're just happy winning a couple of games."
Lowrie's been pleased to see the squad improve and continue to work hard despite results not going their way in the early parts of the campaign.
Wests five-eighth Max Buderus has impressed while many have graduated to debut in the top grade including hooker Paul Dengate, centre Logan Radzievic and Aidan Storrie, the son of club legend Steve.
Injured cavalry such as Ryan Walker, Roman Fepuleai, Ross Haidle and Dylan Parlane have started to return.
The Rosellas host joint leaders Cessnock at Harker Oval on Saturday, having gone down 20-12 to the Goannas away on Easter Thursday.
* MAITLAND'S Tom Hughes will likely undergo surgery after sustaining a shoulder injury on the weekend.
Pickers coach Matt Lantry doesn't expect to see the new recruit back on the paddock for at least six weeks.
It comes at the same time fellow second-rower Matt Allwood (shoulder) is also sidelined.
* MACQUARIE will mark the 30th anniversary of the club's first premiership when they host Maitland at Lyall Peacock Field on July 31.
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.
