MAINTAINING motivation over the course of one season can be tough.
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Try remaining motivated over a period spanning five.
That's the challenge that lies ahead for Mick Sullivan and his Orange CYMS outfit as the green and golds gun for a fifth-straight Group 10 grand final appearance and, of far more significance, a fourth premiership.
Overcoming crosstown rivals Hawks 22-14 in last year's decider at Wade Park to guide the club to a third title in four years, Sullivan believes desire isn't lacking in his 2014 playing group as the club focuses on its latest quest for glory.
"I've been pretty blessed with the group we've got," Sullivan said.
"The young guys in the side, we've got Benny Gosper back, Matt Egan too, Riley Law, Kyran Bubb, Matt Penny, they're all motivated. Hopefully I can teach the guys some of the little aspects of the game as well.
"It's all about the group, not themselves."
Sullivan expected challengers to come in the form of perennial finals contenders Lithgow and last year's runners-up and minor premiers Orange Hawks, while the likes of a strengthened Cowra and Bathurst Panthers pose a new rival for CYMS.
CYMS, however, appear to have added plenty of size to their 2014 roster.
Former Hawks and Eugowra players Anthony Redfern and Zac Bohan have been training with the green and golds, as has former Cargo premiership-winning captain-coach Matt Taylor.
Chris Jones was also strong for CYMS at the West Wyalong knockout, helping the green and golds to the semi-finals.
Likely to sit out the majority of 2014 recovering from an off-season knee reconstruction, Sullivan said he was looking forward to nutting out the make-up of this year's side.
"There will be plenty of competition for places this year," Sullivan said.