Stability.
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It's something Orange City didn't have a lot of through 2018 and it's one of the big things new coach Viv Paasi is chasing heading into round two of this year's Blowes Clothing Cup season, which for the Lions is a tough trip to Bathurst to take on last year's beaten grand finalists in Bulldogs.
He's largely found it too, the Lions' new mentor has only been forced to make one change from last weekend's promising 15-3 defeat to the Cowra Eagles.
Star flanker Duncan Young is unavailable for this weekend's clash against Bulldogs and the versatile Harry Taberner will don the No.7 jersey instead, with exciting youngster Nick Smith moving into the centres to fill that hole.
Considering Taberner was predominantly a flanker in his younger years but also experience at halfback and now, obviously, through the 12 and 13 channel his injection into the side this year looks to be a valuable one for Paasi, especially in this circumstance.
It provides the crucial opportunity to keep the top-flight group together despite Young's absence, which will be pivotal considering the new-look nature of the outfit - the Lions had four debutants in last week's defeat.
We're learning about playing with each other and trying to build that understanding on the field.
- Orange City coach Viv Paasi
"We're learning about playing with each other and trying to build that understanding on the field," Paasi said, citing adapting to change as a bit focus for the group as well.
That's not say Paasi won't consider other changes based on form though, he was impressed with his club's effort in second grade last weekend and said a number of that group have firmly put themselves in the mix for a top grade berth.
"A lot of guys in second grade threw their hands up even though they may not have won ... they played for each other," he said.
But for now, with Saturday's gargantuan road trip looming, it's about sticking solid and building on last weekend's performance.
Paasi was rapt with the Lions' defensive effort against the Eagles and particularly their "excellent discipline" but he naturally found plenty to work on too, identifying Orange City's attacking tempo as one area for improvement moving forward.
It's an area he's hoping they'll lift in on Saturday, against a Bulldogs side that thrives on controlling the pace of a game and keeping it in their favour.
"We had a review during the week and we talked through what we need to do," Paasi said, keeping his cards very close to his chest.
Orange City take on Bathurst Bulldogs in Bathurst on Saturday from 3.15pm.
- ORANGE CITY LIONS: 1 Cal Townsend, 2 Nick Fisher, 3 Josh Tremain (c), 4 Tom Boog, 5 Nathan Warner, 6 Jake Johnston, 7 Harry Taberner, 8 Tatafu Na'anuimotu, 9 Tom Nell, 10 Cam Cole, 11 Barton Young, 12 Nick Smith, 13 Lachie Blunt, 14 Tom Westcott, 15 Keegan Harding
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