THE expected return of Lithgow’s Brendon Van-Veen and Cody Strickland has St Pat’s on alert for tomorrow’s Group 10 premier league match against the winless Workies.

With that talented pair and a home ground advantage, Lithgow become a more formidable proposition.

Pat’s were dominant in their earlier meeting this season, posting a 42-14 victory in round one against Workies. 

They currently sit in second place on the ladder, two points behind frontrunners Oberon, and will be hot favourites to add to their tally tomorrow.

Workies’ fortunes have taken a plunge following last year’s grand final appearance, so much so that at one point it was feared they would withdraw from the competition.

But while they have managed to get on the park each weekend – aside from one forfeit – Lithgow are still chasing their first win.

Still, Pat’s coach Kurt Hancock said his team can’t afford to let complacency creep into their game tomorrow.

“If those two guys do play then we can expect a whole new Lithgow through the middle. If Brendon Van-Veen can get the Lithgow team together, then they’re going to give us headaches,” he said.

“It’s all about defence for us. That’s what won us our games against Oberon and CYMS. That’s what we’re going to continue to try and build up over the next three weeks or so.

“Lithgow is usually difficult to play at home and with the [wet] weather expected to settle in, then that’s going to toughen things up even more.”

Hancock is hoping his forwards continue to muscle up off the back of strong performances against Oberon and CYMS over the past month.

“It’s a bit of a danger game for us ... so we’ll go down there and give them the respect they deserve. I know it’s a game that we’re still expected to win, but it will be tough,” he said.

“With Westy [Brendan West] back in there and with Jono [Van-Veen] playing at six off those three big guys, it’s going to be dangerous. As much as we played well in that first game, Workies were still a team that competed on everything. If you don’t approach them with the right mindset then you’re in for a hard game of football.”

Pat’s have named an unchanged lineup from the team that beat Orange CYMS.

With no reserve grade fixture, today’s match will kick-off at 1.45pm.

ST PAT’S: 1 Antonio Ale, 2 Nathan Lawrence, 3 Cyp Ale, 4 Tyson Medlyn, 5 Adam Morton, 6 Garry Reilly, 7 Shannon Peters, 8 Daniel Bain, 9 Benjamin John, 10 Brady Cheshire, 11 Travis Waninara, 12 Chris De Young, 13 Andy Adams, 14 Mitch Squires, 15 Jack Mackey, 16 Curtis Boardman, 17 Andrew Bain.