Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles Coach Nathan Hogan believes the first win of the season is not far off ahead of today’s round five NSW Cup match in Newcastle.
The combination of three cancelled trials (two to wet weather, one to COVID) and the fact that the team had little time to train together always meant the Blacktown Workers were going to start the season slowly.
However, Hogan says the signs are promising for the Blacktown Workers side on the back of a 26-18 loss to Canberra Raiders at home last Sunday.
“It was a much-improved performance last week. We had a strong focus on discipline and minimizing our errors, and we did that. It was pleasing to see,’’ Hogan said.
“I thought we were the better side for probably 70 per cent of the game.
“It was just our attention to detail and last tackle options that saw us let ourselves down. We have worked hard on this week for the Knights game.
“The first month was always going to be hard. We are turning a corner and I really do think we are just starting to find out who we are as a team and how we really want to play.
“We are setting ourselves a lot of challenges to improve in different areas of the game each week.
“We’re on a good journey this season and I want everyone to just stick with us because I think it’s starting to turn for us.
“I really do think we are getting close to that first win and then we may get on a run from there.”
Blacktown Workers will be hoping for prop Toff Sipley to again lead the way after he carried the ball for over 254 metres in a strong performance against the Raiders.
Round 5 NSW Cup
Sunday, April 10, 1.30pm
Blacktown Workers vs Newcastle Knights
Newcastle No 2 Sportsground No 2
