Macquarie Raiders coach Dylan Hill is eager to get back into the Group 11 top five as soon as possible, but he’s also willing to be patient with a new-look lineup.
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The Raiders will feature a new halves pairing and a number of other changes in Sunday’s round eight match against the third-placed Parkes Spacemen at Apex Oval.
The biggest change comes in the form of Lewis Stanley at five-eighth, the versatile playmaker having sealed a mid-season transfer from the Wellington Cowboys during the week.
Chris Daley remains at halfback having made his long-awaited return from knee injury in last week’s loss to Wellington.
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Stanley’s addition is the biggest talking point and while he had a minimal impact for the Cowboys this year, Hill can’t wait to have him in Raiders colours.
“He’ll be a massive asset for us,” Hill said.
“He’s decided to come across to give us a hand and he feels he can help and guide all of our young fellas around.
“It will also be Chris Daley’s second game for us and just from the amount of feedback I got from other players after last week it’s clear to see he made a difference.”
Hill said the Stanley deal has only come about in less than two weeks and he added he was thankful to the Cowboys for granting the release.
There plenty of reshuffling in the Raiders lineup for this weekend, with captain Kurt Fuller shifting out of the halves for the first time this season and to play at lock while John Ciappara moves from the second row to the front row.
Fijian recruit Apisai Lomani is likely to come off the bench in first grade having made his Raiders debut in reserves last week while the injured trio of Daniel Bain, Kepu Nathan and Bobby Jo Gordon, as well as Jai Merritt, are unavailable.
Hill eased his side through training during the week, slowing things down a touch to allow the new combinations time to gel.
Fuller will be tasked with being a ball-playing lock, something he has done in the past, while also “getting amongst the gritty work” needed in the middle.
“I believe with these changes we can make it work. We’ve still got a great side on paper,” Hill added.
“We know it won’t be a walk in the park. Parkes are one of the top teams and (captain-coach) Alex Prout has done a good job there.
“But with us having a home game we’re hoping to put on a good performance and we want to make our home ground a fortress.”
Prout is in doubt for the match and his Spacemen come into the match after a week off, following the long weekend loss to the Forbes Magpies.
The Spacemen remain in the top three and will have the likes of key man Chad Porter, Joey Dwyer, Brandon Paige and Lewis Dwyer all lining up on Sunday.
“We want to get back into the top five and progress to the top three but it’s just little steps at the moment,” Hill said.
The action starts with league tag at 11am.