PLAYMAKER: Alex Moore hits a hole for Central Coast Storm. The halfback will guide Wyong around the park in 2012.
HALFBACK Alex Moore will make his rugby league premiership debut for the new-look Wyong Roos in the opening round of the Newcastle Tooheys Cup at Kanwal on Saturday.
And the former Entrance, Manly and Central Coast Storm playmaker's top priority will be to bring some control to a Wyong attack that coach Paul Stringer concedes has been "terrible" in trial matches.
Despite a big win in the trial against Central Charlestown last week, Wyong completed just five of its sets in the first half.
"And we scored tries off three of those sets, so we got to our kick only twice in the whole half," Stringer said.
The completion rates were also poor in trials against Wests Newcastle and Toukley.
Moore's cool head and experience could prove to be precisely what the Roos need.
"Alex has a lot of experience and he's 30 years of age, and I think we need that experience in the halves to steer our young team around," Stringer said.
Moore's arrival at Kanwal has prompted changes.
Former halfback Matt Sharp shifts to pivot, with former five-eighth Chad Sharp moving into the centres.
The Roos have lost hooker Mitch Williams and fullback Josh Mantellato to the Newcastle Knights.
Utility Shaun Sullivan earns Wyong's No 9 jumper, while Aaden Wright moves from wing to fullback.
The Roos have also welcomed prop Dale Langford, from The Entrance, and centre Blake Davey from Manly.
Wyong will take on South Newcastle at Morry Breen Field at 3pm on Saturday.
Macquarie Scorpions, meanwhile, have a road trip to take on Port Stephens Sharks on Sunday.