Attitude change needed for Young to stay in the hunt

After a win over Junee to start the season, the Cherrypickers have lost their last three games, including a 32-18 loss to Brothers at Equex Centre on Sunday.

However they don't need to travel again, with their last three games to be played at Alfred Oval.

They're also drawn to face the three other sides who have also just one win to their credit after the first five rounds of the season.

Coach Nick Hall is looking for an attitude change ahead of a crucial clash with Kangaroos on Saturday.

"It is strange as there are so many good players out there - guys who have done it and played at that level before - but we are struggling with combination," Hall said.

"We are a new team and we're trying really hard individually rather than trying real hard as a unit."

Hall is looking for some more resilience from the side.

Unlike in their previous games, Young jumped out of the gates against Brothers with Nic Hall completing his hat-trick after 24 minutes.

However after leading the Wagga side 18-6 after 34 minutes they conceded the next 26 points to drop to sixth on the Group Nine ladder.

Hall thought the side played far too loose after a positive start.

"We held our own for 10 minutes, scored a couple of sneaky tries but our control wasn't great," Hall said.

"We were ok in the first 25 and just got loose and the looseness stayed.

"Sometimes it is hard to stop, we needed some leadership out there, needed some direction and needed some patience and energy."

After bringing in plenty of new faces in his return to the coaching role, Hall continues to tinker with the side.

James Woolford dropped back to reserve grade with Mick Picker moving into hooker, Matt Murray came out of their undefeated reserve grade outfit and into five-eighth to take on Brothers however halfback Jacob Lucas didn't play out the game.

Mick Dodson also started for the first time but he will miss on Saturday through suspension.

Hall admitted he is still trying to build the right combinations.

"We're having a lot at things for balance and that will continue," he said.

"We had a look at a couple of things with Josh coming next week.

"We're trialling a few things.

"Matt Murray got a chance up in first grade and I thought he was pretty good - he challenged and was pretty organised on his side.

"At the end when things are tough you really need those halves to stand up and own those last 15 to 20 minutes to make sure we get into spots."

McCrone is expected to come in at halfback after completing his two weeks of quarantine following Toronto Wolfpack's withdrawal from the English Super League.

However Hall is determined not to look too far into their draw.

"Nothing is guaranteed and we have to win a game," he said.

"We played the three top sides and didn't measure up.

"(Brothers) was a winnable game with both sides not at their best."

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