Williams, who was in charge of the senior representative program this season, has confirmed both his interest in coaching with the Butcher Boys in 2019 and having recently met with club officials.

It comes after former Kurri coach Williams was endorsed by outgoing mentor Craig Miller, who will see out his second campaign at St John Oval in 2018 with Central now fifth on the ladder and leading the club championship.   

Miller said “travel” between home, work and footy all over the Hunter region had taken its toll but despite opting to finish up at the Charlestown-based outfit he wasn’t necessarily retiring from coaching all together, saying his situation remains “in limbo”.

Prior to that Rowan Kelly had two seasons at Central’s helm while in 2014 the Butcher Boys were steered by Matt Lantry, now overseeing Western Suburbs after leading the Knights to a NSW Cup premiership three years ago.  

* STILL on coaching appointments and if Lakes do sign Rick Stone, the former Knights and Huddersfield mentor could potentially face off with son and Wests second-rower Ben in a Cleary-like NRL-family showdown. 

* WITH player of the year points now going behind closed doors, man-of-the-match performances on the weekend from Maitland’s Adam Clydsdale (16), Central’s Brad Murray (11) and Lakes’ Shaun Boss (10) have that trio out in front.  

Souths’ Lachlan Walmsley, Central’s Terence Seu Seu, Kurri’s Jade Porter (9), Maitland’s Tyler Carter and Souths’ Cameron King (7) all remain in contention with five rounds left in the regular season. 

Cessnock’s Paul Carter (8) will only get one more chance to add to his tally with suspensions sidelining him until the last round.

* LAST week Wests farewelled the club’s fullback of the century Geoff “Tag” Spruce, who died aged 75. 

* THERE will be two Friday night double headers this week with under-19 fixtures at Harker Oval and Maitland from 6:15pm.