MAITLAND coach Mick Bolch has no doubts that Braedyn Crowley will score goals for the Magpies.
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But it is the "high standards" that the prized recruit sets - and expects - on the training pitch that could benefit the Magpies most.
The defending premiers open a shortened Northern NSW National Premier League season against Edgeworth at Jack McLaughlan Oval on Sunday - a repeat of the 2019 grand final, which the Eagles won 2-0.
Crowley is the major addition to Maitland. Edgeworth will have former assistant Keelan Hamilton at the helm after the shock departure this week of premiership-winning coach Damian Zane.
"Zaney was there for five years and for him to have left four days ago, it's not going to change any of the structures they have in place," Bolch said.
"I watched them play [a trial] against Jaffas last weekend and they looked pretty sharp. They have pushed Josh Rose a bit higher up the park. He scored some goals from left back last season. Daniel Fabrizio is back, Keanu Moore, Will Bower ... all the usual suspects. We will go in worrying about us and what we need to do."
Crowley joined Maitland from Lambton Jaffas, where he scored 16 goals to win the golden boot last year, and adds to a strike force boasting Joel Wood, Jimmy Thompson and Matt Commerford.
"Braedyn set up all three goals in a our trial against Adamstown last weekend," Bolch said. "He is very professional in everything he does. He sets and expects high standards. That has flowed on to the squad."
Crowley is likely to lead the line on Sunday but could switch places with Joel Wood at stages.
"Braedyn will play predominantly at the nine," Bolch said. "In the preseason we tried Woodsy at the point and put Braedyn out on the right, which gave us a different dimension. Woodsy is big and strong in the air, where as Crowley is more a dynamic striker. If he gets on the shoulder of a defender, he is almost impossible to stop."
Hamilton, who had been an assistant under Zane this season, took charge of his first session on Tuesday.
"Naturally, the players were a little bit shocked and disappointed," Hamilton said. "They trained well on Tuesday and have been really responsive.The desire is definitely still there. If anything, Damian leaving probably gives the group even more to prove in a way. Yeah, things might have changed slightly but they are still a fantastic group of footballers who can take the competition on again.
"The front third will be key. We have some good footballers in that area and Kristian Brymora has come in and given us another avenue to goal.
"Maitland are very dangerous in the transition moment, winning the second ball and playing off the back of that. We need to be diligent in possession and not give them opportunities to counter quickly."
In other games on Sunday, 2019 player of the year Mitch Oxborrow will make his debut for Lambton Jaffas against Lake Macquarie at Macquarie Field.
Charlestown coach Graham Law will face his old club when Azzurri meet Adamstown Rosebud at Lisle Carr Oval, Valentine are home to Broadmeadow Magic and Newcastle Olympic are away to Weston.
"The front third will be key. We have some good footballers in that area and Kristian Brymora has joined us and given us another avenue to goal.
