AT THE END OF THE DAY | Smith’s Bears bound, Hayne to land at No.1

Often stranger, really.

Take a deep breath and try and keep up: Travis Waddell, Cameron King, Tony ‘the T-Rex’ Williams, Jack Littlejohn, Daniel Mortimer, Liam Foran, Justin Carney, Reece Robinson, Eddy Pettybourne and Joel Thompson.

Last year it was Jamal Idris, Chris Grevsmuhl, Josh Starling, Timana Tahu, Nathan Merritt, Shane Shackleton, Brent Crisp, Joe Williams.

These are all names that have either landed at footy clubs across Western or were rumoured to be doing so in the last two years.

It’s hard to keep up.

And, honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised one bit if the next phone call I take is to let me know the reason Cameron Smith hasn’t yet signed on with the Melbourne Storm is because he’s finalising a deal to coach the Blayney Bears in Group 10 in 2019.

Has Jarryd Hayne got a club yet? Doesn’t look like it. I bet he’s landing at the Rabbitohs.

The next great Westside story.

Any chance one or both ends up at a bush club? Who knows. This is the silly season, after all.

Bottom line: don’t write off anything.

But I want to focus on one of the names that has definitely landed in the region, newly appointed Mudgee Dragons captain-coach Jack Littlejohn.

Or, as the Dragons are dubbing the former Manly and Wests Tigers half, our Mick Sullivan.

It’s one hell of a tag.

Sullivan, the Orange CYMS captain-coach, is the most decorated coach in Group 10’s history. Nine years, seven grand final appearances, five premierships after linking with the club straight out of the NRL at the end of 2009. It’s a glittering record.

If Littlejohn is half as good as Sullivan then the Dragons are in for a great little period.

But it stands as an if.

Lots has to line-up for any club to win one title, let alone achieve the same sustained success the former Canterbury and Sharks rake can boast in the bush.

It’s the same at Nyngan, where the Tigers have managed to lure Trangie boy Justin Carney back to the region after the wrecking ball enjoyed a long stint in England.

Like the Dragons, the Tigers are in for a good season. That’s certain.

You’d imagine both Littlejohn and Carney, besides still being gun players, will bring a wealth of big-time experience to their respective clubs as mentors.

(And, I mean, who would want/be brave enough to tackle Justin Carney with a full-head of steam close to the line?)

But landing players of that ilk is only the first step. 

And as we saw in Oberon last season, a string of big-name off-season signings doesn’t guarantee success.

It does guarantee expectation, though, and with that a mountain of pressure.

Handling that may well be the toughest hurdle for either club to clear when next winter arrives.

There will never be another Mick Sullivan – take that as gospel. 

But it sure is one hell of a wild ride trying to keep up as clubs rally to find the key to unlocking their premiership window in 2019.