No Brock Lamb, no worries.
The Maitland Pickers, without their injured halfback and inspired by his replacement Isaiah Olsen, have claimed their sixth consecutive minor premiership with a 10-4 win over South Newcastle on Saturday.
History repeated in more ways than one for the Pickers, again sewing up first place on Sleapy's Day with several rounds still to play.
They were also forced to do it on a mud-caked Townson Oval for a second consecutive year.
Playing in front of a big crowd on deck for the annual charity event, supporting Sleapy's Foundation, the Pickers prevailed courtesy of an Olsen try and another set up by one of his kicks.
It was a battle of attrition in the first half as the teams went end to end for no reward for 35 minutes.
The closest Souths came was around the 33rd minute when five-eighth Ryan Glanville was held up over the try-line, before Olsen dived over on the left edge five minutes later.
Five minutes into the second half, it was an Olsen cross-field kick that set Maitland up for their second.
Winger Ethan Parry leapt for the ball and batted it down for centre Harry Van Dartel to score in the right corner.
The second half turned into a similar stop-start affair with the conditions leading to several errors.
Souths got themselves back into the contest in the 65th minute, when after some scrappy play, Glanville put a pinpoint kick into the left corner for winger Jacob Afflick to score.
It sent the Souths supporters in the Sleapy's Day section of the crowd into raptures, but that was as good as it got for the home side.
Trailing 10-4, they couldn't get back into striking range for another proper crack at Maitland, their mistakes repeatedly costing them possession.
Maitland's win - their fourth over Souths on Sleapy's Day in as many years - locked in this year's minor premiership with two rounds left to play.
Their run of six minor titles sets a new record for the competition. Western Suburbs Rosellas won five minor premierships across 1992-1996.
The Pickers (26 points), who have now won 13 of 14 games they've played this year, move eight points clear of Souths (18).
In addition to regular halfback Lamb, who is out following a knee injury last week, Maitland were also without prop Jayden Butterfield.
Souths benefited from the return of skipper Glanville, and hooker Mitch Black who started on the bench, but remained without several players including back-rower Lachlan Fitzgibbon.
In other games on Saturday, Kurri Kurri shored up their spot in the top five with a 14-12 victory on the road against The Entrance.
Northern Hawks defeated Macquarie 36-20 at Lyall Peacock Field in Toronto.
Lakes United host Cessnock on Sunday at Cahill Oval from 3pm.
Central and Wests have postponed their scheduled Sunday match until next weekend.
POINTS TABLE: Maitland (26), Souths (18), Kurri (16), Central (14), Wests, The Entrance, Northern (12), Lakes (11), Cessnock (9), Macquarie (4).
