GROUP Three coach Phil Trembath isn't concerned at the number of players who have been chosen out of position for tomorrow's annual representative rugby league clash against Group Two at the Jack Neal Oval.
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Selectors have named Taree City fullback Aden Avery on the wing, with Kurt Lewis in the centres even though he has played five-eighth and lock for Wingham this year. Joe Cudmore from Port Sharks, last season's North Coast hooker, is the five-eighth while Matt Everitt from Taree City is the halfback although he plays lock for the Bulls.
Trembath defended the selections.
"Joe Cudmore has been playing six for Port most of this season. Aden Avery missed out on the fullback spot to Cody Robbins but he gets his chance on the wing,'' he pointed out.
Trembath believes Everitt is better suited to the playmaking role at halfback while he pointed out that Lewis has played extensively as a centre in the past. He noted that several players in the side can fill a number of positions and said this could be invaluable in a group game.
"It's a young side as well and that sets us up for next year - although we have to get through this weekend first,'' Trembath added.
He admitted he had concerns at the start of the season at how strong the side would be, particularly with at least two regular representatives from recent years now playing in the Hastings League and therefore ineligible for selection.
"But looking at it now I'm happy with what we've come up with,'' he said.
"We trained really well this week and we should go well.''
Port City's Cody Robbins, a former Country Seconds fullback has been named as fullback and Trembath expects him to be a trump tomorrow.
Lewis will partner in-form Wingham club-mate Tim Bridge in the centres.
There are three hookers in the 17 strong squad, Cudmore at five-eighth, James Kelly, also from Port Sharks at nine with Wingham's Mitch Collins on the bench.
Trembath said Collins can also play halfback if required.
Matt Shipway from Port Sharks will be the captain.
Trembath believes there is strength across the park. He pointed out that lock Matt Bird from Wauchope has been in outstanding form in a losing side while second rowers Shipway and Kurt Moloney, both from Port Sharks, are strong on the edges and should form a potent partnership with centres Lewis and Bridge.
The squad is: Clint Robbins (Port City); Clint Walker (Port City), Tim Bridge (Wingham), Kurt Lewis (Wingham), Aden Avery (Taree City); Joe Cudmore (Port Macquarie), Matt Everitt (Taree City); Matt Kirkland (Forster-Tuncurry), James Kelly (Port Macquarie), Tom McGuire (Port Macquarie), Matt Shipway (Port Macquarie captain), Kurt Moloney (Port Macquarie), Matt Bird (Wauchope). Interchange Mitch Collins (Wingham), Beau Kettle (Wauchope), Tom Dooker (Wingham) and Rumone Jackson (Old Bar).
The Taree City pair of Josh Northam and Matt Toupe are the 18th and 19th players and will only be required if there's a late withdrawal.
Group Three has dominated the clashes against Group Two in recent years, including wins in the last two matches.
Trembath has been coach for the past two years.
Coach of the winning side tomorrow will have charge of the North Coast team for the Country Championships