Dapto takes cue from club greats

A depleted Dapto side will look for inspiration from some of the Canaries' all-time greats when the side faces off with arch rivals Western Suburbs in the Illawarra Carlton League heritage game at Dapto Showground today. The Canaries' forward pack has been decimated by injuries to props Scott Stonnell (shoulder) and Shaun Wessell (hamstring), hooker Shane Williams (ankle) and second-rower Matt Crockett (ankle), who were all forced off the field in last Sunday's 34-12 loss to premiers Collegians at WIN Stadium.Dapto coach Dean Callaway has named Chris Leikvoll, who has been sidelined with hamstring damage, in today's team but the experienced prop still needs to pass a fitness test.Moana Kini Kini will be elevated into the starting front row, Matt Burke has been placed at hooker, Ben Condon shifts from centre to second row, and Matt Rieck returns to centre after recovering from a hamstring injury."We will have a new-look pack but we are fortunate to have depth in our club," Callaway said."This will also give some players the opportunity to start in first grade."Among the Dapto greats attending the club's heritage game will be Lionel Simmons, Allan Fitzgibbon, Warwick Shirlaw, Bob Smithies, John Callaway, Peter Herman, Dave Jeffcott, Bryan Milthorpe, Shane McKellar, Steve Morris and Paul McGregor.They will be joined by some of the Wests' finest former players."Some greats of our club will be there and this will be a great day for the club," Callaway said."There has always been a keen rivalry between the two clubs."Wests have been going well. They've been slipping under the radar."We will have our work cut out but there is nothing like old rivalry to bring out the best."We are steeling ourselves for a big game," Callaway said.In a reshuffle, Wests' coaches Peter Reed and Adam Bristow have switched hooker Matt Clarke to five-eighth, Dan Lawson back into the second row and Rhys Cochrane to the hooker position.The game kicks off at the later time of 4pm.After a close loss to Collies and a draw with Wests in their last two matches, Wollongong/University will be keen to claim two premiership points when they host Corrimal at University Oval today.The Bulls came back from 0-18 behind at half-time to force a 22-all draw with the Devils and reinforce coach Aaron Raper's confidence for the side's future in the competition.Corrimal coach Murray Whitehead was unimpressed with the Cougars' 22-20 win over Helensburgh (minus their Dragons guest players) last Sunday and is expecting a big improvement if they are to beat the Bulls.Even though unbeaten competition leaders Thirroul are taking on last placed Helensburgh at Rex Jackson Park tomorrow, the Butchers are treating it as a danger game with the Tigers expected to have several Dragons players in their line-up.Thirroul president Aidan Beath said they will be without props Jay Van Meegan (groin) and Matt Prior (knee) and lock Aaron Beath (knee), who were all injured in last week's 36-16 win against Berkeley.The Eagles will have to lift their game if they are to upset Collies in tomorrow's game at Berkeley Sportsground.In VB Cup, Mt Kembla host Avondale and Norths play Bulli at Mt Kembla Oval. Port Kembla are against Wests at Noel Mulligan Oval today and Berkeley are at home to Windang tomorrow.