MANNING Ratz rugby coach Danial Stone tips a bright future for 16-year-old utility player Nick Mylonas.
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"He's going really well,'' Stone said as his side prepares to meet unpredictable Myall Lakes tomorrow at Taree Rugby Park.
"I wasn't sure how he'd go this year because he's only 16. But he's been solid and is improving with every game.''
Mylonas started at breakaway in the Ratz win over Wallamba last week but was shifted to the wing. However, Stone wanted a bit more speed in his forwards so Mylonas was moved back into the pack for the second half. Stone said that's where it appears he'll stay.
"He was whingeing to me about being on the wing,'' the coach said.
"He wants to get in where the action is.''
Stone rated Mylonas as one of his best players against Wallamba a game that was potentially difficult for his side as they were coming off a hammering from Forster-Tuncurry the previous week.
"We showed some of the commitment and character that was missing against Forster,'' Stone said.
"Especially considering we were down 10-5 at halftime.''
The Ratz went onto win the game 26-10.
Centre Isaac Solomon, who Stone said had a huge game against Wallamba, will play tomorrow but then heads to Armidale for university for four weeks and the coach said he will leave a massive hole. The Ratz have no major injury concerns for tomorrow from last week's game although representative breakaway Mitch Carter faces another month on the sideline while he recovers from a shoulder complaint.
Stone said if results go their way tomorrow the Ratz can secure second spot. However, he added the Ratz still have their eye on the minor premiership.
"We're only four points behind them and there's something like seven games to go,'' he pointed out.
"So anything can happen yet.''
In the other game tomorrow Forster-Tuncurry hosts Wallamba at the Peter Barclay Fields.