WOLLONGONG Wolves coach Luke Wilkshire has expressed his frustration at a lack of consultation after Football NSW released the draw for the revamped NSW National Premier Leagues season on Monday.
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The Wolves, featuring Milton-Ulladulla's Chris Price and Shoalhaven Heads' Brendan Low, will host Mt Druitt on Sunday, August 2 in round one, before a Friday night clash with APIA Leichhardt the following week.
That match is of particular concern for Wilkshire, with the 7pm kickoff leaving little time for the team's players to finish work and travel to Lambert Park in Sydney.
"It's wrong," Wilkshire said.
"The players are working, they've copped a hit to contracts this season, I see no reason why we should be playing on a Friday night.
"The players finish work at five in Wollongong, getting to Leichhardt for a 7pm kickoff is pretty much impossible.
"We were given a rough draft, I expressed my displeasure and requested to have it changed, but so far nothing's changed. It's incorrect, Football NSW is meant to be doing what's best for the players."
While the clash with the Tigers will prove a logistical challenge, the Wolves will benefit from hosting seven of their eleven matches.
Wollongong will play one more internal friendly this weekend before their season begins, with Wilkshire determined to ensure the performance improves on Sunday's 1-nil loss to Blacktown.
"I expect a fiery game. People were starting to etch their names into the starting side, but now it's a blank paper again."