CAMEO APPEARANCE: Brett Kimmorley will play for Orange CYMS in one game next season.
IT’S the biggest signing this Group 10 silly season.
Scrap that - this one is the biggest signings throughout the entire Country Rugby League off-season, even if it is only for one game.
Former Australian, New South Wales and Country representative star Brett Kimmorley will make a cameo appearance with Orange CYMS in the 2013 Group 10 regular season in one of the club’s home games at Wade Park.
To boast a player who has played 307 first grade games, won a premiership with the Melbourne Storm in 1999 as well a Clive Churchill Medal for best on ground in the same game and played 20 Test matches for his country is as big a coup as they come in the bush.
The deal is only in its infancy at this stage, with the finer details of just which game “Noddy” runs out in the green and gold in to be determined in the new year.
However, the appearance at Wade Park will work around Kimmorley’s commitments as an assistant coach at the Canterbury Bulldogs and his work on Fox Sports.
“That’s the plan. We’re just waiting to sort out a few things,” said CYMS player-coach Mick Sullivan, who remains in close contact with Kimmorley following the pair’s days at Cronulla.
“I actually asked him last year but he hurt his knee and had a bit of a scope.
“We worked it out that he’d come out this year.”
Kimmorley’s run with CYMS will come at a time with bush football seemingly on the rebound.
Wyong will have a NSW Cup side in 2013 while Albury is making waves in Group Nine with its plan to have a side in the NRL feeder competition in 2014.
Mudgee, too, are in on the act with Glen Willow set to host one of the Parramatta Eels’ premiership home games next season.
In Group 10 Oberon has made a comeback, now Blayney is set to do the same.
CYMS club officials are hoping Kimmorley will be available for the green and golds’ derby clash with Orange Hawks or another big-ticket Group 10 clash with the likes of Mudgee or a grand final rematch with Lithgow.
An official draw has not yet been released.
“Really, any game against one of the top four sides, a game that would be attractive for people to come along and watch, would be ideal,” Sullivan said.
“I’ve known him for years and we do get on well. It’s about promoting Country Rugby League and he’s all about that. He loves the game.”
