By Blake Edwards
Illawarra Cutters prop Shannon Wakeman intends to play his part in keeping his team’s unbeaten run alive against the North Sydney Bears at WIN Stadium, Wollongong on Saturday.
The Cutters enter the encounter at the familiar stomping ground on the back of a dominant 38-12 win over the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs at Belmore Sports Ground last round.
Their opposition on the contrary have yet to record a win in their opening two matches against the Wentworthville Magpies and the Penrith Panthers.
Wakeman is pleased with the side’s start to the season and puts the recent success down to the tough pre-season, under the newly appointed coaching staff, led by Head Coach Jason Demetriou, who is also the St George Illawarra Dragons Assistant Coach.
"It was a lot tougher this pre-season, and I personally got a lot out of it" said Wakeman.
"JD has been really good since coming down from the Cowboy's. He has made us a lot stronger, faster and improved our fitness in general during the pre-season."
"I think we just need to stick to what we've been doing.
"JD and the coaching staff have put structures into place to prepare us for the season, and they're obviously working.
"We've won both our opening games and I think if we just continue to do the things we've worked on and put them into place on Saturday, It'll put us in a good position to get another two points.”
