New combinations but we must keep same attitude

We head to Mackay later today for tomorrow’s Anzac round match against the Cutters with a few changes to the side after back-to-back victories, which will be a challenge with new combinations having to be formed.

But if we stick to the basics which we have been working on, which is having patience keeping our discipline, more wins will come. We have shown that when play tough and win the forward battle, and wait for points, there is enough class in the team to score.

Kane Elgey drops back from the Titans and while he will be naturally disappointed at being dropped, his energy and demeanour was really good at training yesterday. ‘Elg’ and Leilani Latu did the full session with us yesterday and were really switched on.

Kane is a class player but I want him to just enjoy his football, don’t try too hard to dominate or impress, and his confidence will return.

We’ve moved Eli Levido back to the bench where he can handle several positions, including hooker if we need to give Sam Meskell a break, and kept Lindon McGrady as Kane’s halves partner.

Centre Brendan Elliot was deservedly called up to the Titans’ NRL side and we’ve brought Kiah Cooper into the centres from the wing, and Shaun Carney comes into the side on the left wing. Kai is keen to play there, and has been in good form, but it gives us a new left edge combination with him and Kane, and that will change the dynamics of the team a bit.

We’ve lost Tristan Lumley unfortunately, to a calf injury suffered at training on Tuesday, but one thing about the squad this year is there is good depth. Hiale Roycroft will come into the starting line-up and Jarrod Morfett comes onto the bench.

Our depth has been shown in the performance of A-grade in beating Burleigh Bears on the first round of the season last Sunday and having Shane Gillham at Tugun getting some valuable match time after recovering from a long-term knee injury, Jenan Parrish at Runaway Bay, Beau Cordtz, Nathan Young, Hala Masila and Jaleel Seve at Southport and Kainoa Gudgeon at Currumbin.

All are capable of playing Intrust Super Cup, as are under-20s players like Daniel Brownbill, Luke Turner and Jack Peacock. There could be times during the season when we won’t have six or seven Titans in the 17, so we will need to cover and I feel we have that.

We’ll go into a game as slight favourites for the first time this season by the looks of it, but that shouldn’t change our approach.

It’s good that we have built some confidence and momentum in the past fortnight , which is only natural after a frustrating first five weeks, but we can’t afford to lose any focus or go away from what has started to work for us.

It’s a bit of a tough weekend travel-wise with us not getting into Mackay until about 10 tonight, then we fly out about the same time, so it will be 1am when we get home. We’re used to that though, having been to Port Moresby, Townsville and

It’s good to be back sleeping in our own beds though rather than coming home on Sunday. And I now one things for sure, you always sleep better after a win.