MEREWETHER co-coach Mick Gill is confident his young pack will step up but that doesn't mask the disappointment at not having captain Jarome Wilson available for the clash against Nelson Bay at Hawkins Oval on Saturday.
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Wilson received a one-week suspension after being cited by Hamilton for a shoulder charge on Hawks fullback Sam McNeill in the Greens' 27-10 loss a fortnight ago.
However, the case could not be heard by the NHRU judiciary until this week.
The Greens considered sitting the back-rower down for the 87-0 win over Southern Beaches but Gill "believed we had a strong case".
"We wanted the case heard as soon as possible but were told we had to wait a week," Gill said. "If we sat him out it would have looked like an admission of guilt. We aren't happy about it but it is what it is."
The Greens are also without powerhouse No.8 Seva Rokobaro, who is playing for Fiji at the Classic Rugby Cup in Vanuatu.
Lachlan Milton and Kade Robinson come into the pack, with Lachy Milton switching to No.8.
"Lachy Miller has a great running game and we are looking for a lot of energy and effort from the young boys," Gill said.
Jay Strachan, who will be away in Vietnam for the next five weeks, will again play off the bench.
"Given he is going for a long stretch, we really need to be playing the backline we will use then," Gill said.
The clash against the Gropers kicks off a tough run in which Merewether meet Maitland, Wanderers and Hamilton.
"We have spoken about what's ahead, what we expect and what are standards are," Gill said. "By the end of it, we will know where we will roughly finish in the semis and what level we are playing - top three level and pushing for the grand final or scrambling to stay alive in the top five. The biggest thing is our preparation and training. Turning up Tuesdays and Thursdays ready to learn, ready to get better."
Merewether kicked two late penalties, inclduing a 50 metre effort on full-time, to pip the Gropers 30-27 in their first encounter.
"We have learned from that," Nelson Bay co-coach Ben Whaler said. "We were all over them in the second half. If we had done that from the get go it could have been a different ball game. Credit to Merewether, they stayed in the fight until the death. No-one plays an 80 minute game, but we have to be better for longer periods."
Elsewhere Saturday, Wanderers take on Lake Macquarie at Waratah Oval, Maitland host University and Southern Beaches are at home to Hamilton.
