Orange CYMS will receive a boost from a number of “massive inclusions”, as player-coach Mick Sullivan put it, in Sunday’s Group 10 premier league clash against the Mudgee Dragons at Wade Park.
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Former NRL star Chris Grevsmuhl returns from a rib complaint, boom Western Rams rep Joe Duffy has been named after breaking his jaw earlier this year and Rob Mortimer is also set to make an unexpected early return from what was originally thought to be a season-ending injury.
All forwards, the magnitude of the trio’s comeback can’t be underestimated as the green and golds’ back-row depth had been dangerously tested in the opening half of the season.
“Grevs was outstanding in the first few rounds before he picked up a rib injury, which he did try to play with but that type of injury isn’t an easy one to play through,” Sullivan said.
“It’ll be great to have him back and Rob Mortimer too, who was cleared after we thought he’d need surgery on his back. He brings a lot of enthusiasm and will really strengthen that bench up.
“The biggest one for me is Joe Duffy though. He was outstanding early and if he hadn’t been hurt he probably would’ve been right up there in terms of player of the year now.
“I’m not disappointed with being fourth coming into the back end of the year, with everything that’s gone on. I don’t think many people realised how many injuries we’ve actually had, even just guys that were carrying niggles and playing on with them.
“Those two weeks off, with the general bye then last weekend’s, have come at a really good time for us in those terms and I’m noticing a big boost in numbers and intensity at training now too, from the whole club.
“We’re just about at full strength across all our grades and it’s only Semisi (Katoa) and Tyrone (Harrison) left to come back in first grade, so it’s looking pretty good.”
CYMS-Mudgee fixtures are invariably fiery, physical, hostile affairs such is the two clubs’ rivalry, and Sullivan’s expecting the same on Sunday afternoon.
He also said his side will prepare as though Jack Afamasaga, the Dragons’ best, will play, although he hasn’t been named.
“I did notice he was an omission, but he loves playing against us so I wouldn’t be surprised if he did come and play,” Sullivan said.
“We’ll be preparing as though he’ll be there, definitely, and if he’s not well that will just give them a little bit less go forward.”
From the first half of the season to the second, the biggest thing Sullivan wants from his troops is a more consistent performance across the 80 minutes.
It’s unrealistic to expect a team to be perfect for an entire game, but he conceded his green and golds have dipped in and out of games more often than he’d like, being particularly slow at the start of games in 2018.
“Our starts are something we need to work on, we’ve fallen behind early in a number of games but it is just about consistency, definitely,” he said.
“Here’s hoping now everyone is just about back on deck we can keep them on the field, and make a real run at it.”
Premier league is scheduled to kick-off at 2.15pm on Sunday.
- ORANGE CYMS: 1 Tom Satterthwaite, 2 Travis Adelerhof, 3 Joe Lasagavibau, 4 Lachlan Munro, 5 Dylan Wood, 6 Luke Petrie, 7 Mick Sullivan, 8 Cam Jones, 9 Ryan Griffin, 10 Kyle Fraser, 11 Jerome Harrison, 12 Chris Grevsmuhl, 13 Brock McGarity; Bench: 14 Matt Penny, 15 Joe Duffy, 16 Rob Mortimer, 17 Adam Stanford, 18 Nick Law
Matt Findlay
Formerly a sports specialist, I'm based at Orange and shift between wide-spread range of subjects here and, often, across the entire Central West region of NSW as well. I have almost a decade of experience in the media and marketing industries both here in Australia and internationally, along with journalism I have experience in content strategy, brand development, and digital and social media. Along the way, I've been fortunate to win a handful of media awards and be nominated for several others too.
Formerly a sports specialist, I'm based at Orange and shift between wide-spread range of subjects here and, often, across the entire Central West region of NSW as well. I have almost a decade of experience in the media and marketing industries both here in Australia and internationally, along with journalism I have experience in content strategy, brand development, and digital and social media. Along the way, I've been fortunate to win a handful of media awards and be nominated for several others too.
