TAREE City will be without four regular starting forwards for Saturday's Group Three Rugby League game against Port Macquarie at the Regional Stadium at Port Macquarie.
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Hooker Oscar Carey, the Bulls best player in the opening two matches along with backrowers Ethan Currey and Thomas Paulson are all unavailable, while front rower Josh Northam remains on the injured list with a broken foot.
While conceding having the four forwards out is disappointing, coach Todd Bridge is confident the Bulls have the depth to cover the absences.
"Will Clarke is back this week so he'll slot straight back into the second row. Rob Mason will start at lock,'' he said.
"We'll still have a strong pack.''
Mason, a gain this season, has played off the bench in the opening two fixtures.
Bridge has shuffled his side to cover for the absences.
Toby De Stefano moves from halfback to hooker with Keiren Cochrane coming into the starting 13 at halfback. Cochrane played off the bench last start against Old Bar. He'll partner Dean Mills in the halves.
Bridge sat out the game against Old Bar a fortnight ago to rest his troublesome knees and he won't be playing tomorrow.
"Paul Campbell and Shane Morcombe have both been playing well in reserve grade and they deserve a chance. They'll sit on the bench after their game is finished,'' he said.
Ben Deegan and Harry Wallis will be the fresh reserves.
Bridge pointed out that De Stefano has played plenty of football at nine
"Toby's good out of dummy half so we won't miss too much there. 'Kicka' (Cochrane) will do the job at halfback,'' he said.
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The Bulls defeated Old Bar last start in a performance that generally pleased Bridge. However, he added the side has to play out the full 80 minutes.
"We clocked off in the last 20 minutes against Old Bar and that's an area we have to improve,'' he warned.
"This will be a good yardstick to see where we stand after three games. Port's always a tough trip and they're the defending premiers. They were beaten by Macleay last start to they'll be keen to make up for that.''
Already missing captain-coach Ben Kirkland to health concerns, the Sharks will also be without Mitch and Koby Smith, along with Kurt Molony and halfback Josh Dwyer.
In their absence, Kirkland hopes his inexperienced side can follow the lead set by regular stars Joey Cudmore, James Kelly and Scott Grant.
"With so much experience out, we'll look for them to step up," Kirkland said.
