A win for Will this Sunday
BY ALEX TIGANI
Unfortunately, Maitland’s season has already had a blemish.
After securing the minor premiership with a 7-0 record, the Pickers’ faced a narrow 26-24 defeat to the Glebe Burwood Wolves.
That was not the tragedy.
Sadly, mid-season recruit Will Nieuwenhuise (on permit from the Singleton Greyhounds) ruptured his ACL that week.
“It was just a really unlucky injury, he cleaned up a kick in the in goal and went to take off to get back into the field and his knee just gave way and he went down,” strength and conditioning coach Oliver Moody explained.
“We all knew it wasn’t good when it first happened, but we had our hopes up that it wouldn’t be too bad.
“Obviously, it’s really disappointing for him and from a team sense as he’d been a great asset since coming down and had all but cemented his spot on the 17.”
His former coach Jye Bayley agreed.
“He came down mid-year with the attitude of trying to secure a spot in Tier 1 but his talent was soon noticed pretty quick and he was in the Cup within a couple of weeks,” Bayley concluded.
“It’s really unfortunate that Will got injured and missed the finals, but he’ll be back and will get another opportunity.”