Cessnock Goannas resurgence eases coach Al Lantry's injury pain

However, Lantry’s personal pain was eased with the Goannas turning in their best performance of the year to claim their third win beating reigning Macquarie Scorpions 26-6 at Peacock Field.

Lantry injured his shoulder again in the opening minutes of Saturday’s reserve game.

“I played out the first half because I thought it was just a jarring because I hadn’t been playing,” Lantry said.

“But it became dead again and best case is another seven weeks. I’ll probably put the cue in the rack and concentrate on coaching because the group of guys we’ve got here I want to put everything into them and really give them every opportunity.”

There is plenty to work with as the Goannas finally clicked producing the type of performance expected of them after a strong recruiting drive.

“It was outstanding, they did it for each other, everyone played their role. I couldn’t be happier for them,” Lantry said.

“It was a very physical game. We scored the only try in the first half. Both teams were holding the ball and throwing everything at each other.

“For them to only get six points against us and for that to come from an intercept was a credit to our defence.

“Everyone clicked today, I’ve been waiting for it to happen and I just hope this is enough to keep them going.

“We moved Paul Carter to hooker this week and he gave us the spark we needed. He created so much, he defended very well and he caught the markers napping a lot to pick up penalties.

“Our front-rowers all got us going forward. Jacob McKendry was yet again one of our best front-rowers and when Kori (Barber) and Stratto (Jordan Stratton) came off the bench they gave us the impact we needed.

“Our right edge Marvin (Filipo), Chanel (Mata'Utia) and Connor (Kirkwood) just played footy there were a couple of chip kicks, a couple of flick passes and grubbers through it was all coming off.

“Connor on the wing was outstanding. I couldn’t be any happier.

“He shut down three or four tries and scored one himself and played a role in a couple of others.”

Harry O’Brien continued his outstanding debut season at fullback. 

“I can’t fault him. He dropped two balls last game against Lakes, they were the only two he has dropped all year. He is just very safe, brings the ball back,” Lantry said.

Lantry singled out his halves Jake McNamara and Cal Edwards for fine games.

“Our halves played very direct and squared up. Their kicking game was good and they took the line on,” he said

“Cal’s kicking game set the bar for us, he got a couple of repeat sets, found touch a few times in vital spots and put some towering bombs up.”

Lantry said the switch of Carter to hooker worked giving the side more impact.

“He is a very smart footballer, he gave us a lot in his running game playing at 13, but he gives us more at nine,” he said.

“We had Brendan Hlad playing for us at lock and the running game didn’t change as he just kept bringing the ball forward and they couldn’t stop him.”