RUGBY LEAGUE
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Paul Jobber
THE last time Port Macquarie Sharks halfback Jake Green played in a local derby he only lasted 15 minutes before injury forced him from the field.
He'll hope for a better outcome on Saturday when the Sharks and Breakers tackle each other once again.
Green has been in outstanding form for the Sharks, scoring two tries in their last home game against Taree in round four while he had a hand in several others.
He was disappointed in his effort during their pre-season knockout competition final loss to Wingham last Saturday and will look to make amends this Saturday.
"I hurt my shoulder in the first game against the Breakers so I can't wait to play them again this time," he said.
"I've only played two games since the injury and it was disappointing I didn't get into the game against Wingham last week."
Green knows it is his job to pull the strings for the Sharks attack, but he can't do that without the help of the forward pack which will be led by North Coast representative players Tom Maguire, Matt Shipway and Kurt Molony.
"Hopefully the big boys set the platform and we'll play off the back of that because it's my job to steer the team around so I'll look to continue to do that this week."
On the other side of the equation is Port City Breakers fullback Cody Robbins who will hope to light up Regional Stadium once again after scoring four tries in two games since moving to Port Macquarie from Orange in April.
Something always looks like happening when the ball is in the fullback's hands.
Robbins was also selected in the North Coast representative side for the match against Northern Rivers in Coffs Harbour on May 21.
"It surprised me a bit because I felt like I could have played a bit better; I was having a bit of trouble with my calves and they were cramping up a bit," Robbins said.
Saturday will be his first Port Macquarie derby and it's one he's looking forward to.
He said the main difference from the rugby league out in Orange to that played on the Mid-North Coast was around the structure and style of play.
"Up here it's a bit more attack, but back home it's more around defence and I feel like I have a bit more space out wide and a bit more room to move and run," he said.
Although it's only early days Robbins is averaging two tries a game, but he remained nonplussed about the prospect of gaining extra attention from the Sharks.
"All I can focus on is my own game and make sure I'm in the position to do what I do," he said.
"Hopefully I'll get a bit closer to the try line because it takes it out of you running 100 metres to score."