Macquarie coach Steve Kidd says Maitland are clearly the team to beat for the title this season.
"But that doesn't mean they are unbeatable," he says.
"They are definitely the standout team for mine by a long way and we know what sort of a challenge we are going to be facing this week. We'll have a few blokes out too but we are looking forward to it."
While he acknowledges the Pickers have threats everywhere ['where do you start'], Kidd said stopping their big men up front - James Taylor, Jayden Butterfield and Sam Anderson - will be the key at Maitland today.
"They roll up the middle really well and everything comes off the back of that," Kidd said.
"[Alex] Langbridge at dummy half is really dangerous and their halves [Chad] O'Donnell and [Brock] Lamb are classy and can hurt you.
"It's a big challenge for our fronties Joe Gardiner and Campbell Sheppard and that's where the test will be for sure."
Kidd said his side didn't execute at crucial times in their last start loss to Central Newcastle and will need to fix that against the Pickers.
"Walshy [Luke Walsh] was superb for Central but we created a fair bit and didn't take advantage with our execution letting us down," he said.
"We can't afford to miss chances against this mob [Maitland]."
In other games today, Kurri are at home to Souths, The Entrance travel to Cessnock to take on the Goannas while Wyong host Wests.
Kurri have named former Knight Nathan Ross at five-eighth for their clash with the Lions with Tyler Randall switching to hooker after the loss of Tom McKenzie. Captain coach Mitch Cullen has also been sidelined.
The Rosellas will welcome back Fraser Price, Heath Gibbs and Max Buderus from injury as they chase their first win of the season against the Kangaroos. But they will still be without Ryan Walker.
"We've still got a few players missing but we've reset our season after the bye and it's now about finding some improvement both individually and as a team," coach Todd Lowrie said.
In the only match tomorrow, Central are at home to improving Lakes United.
