Dan Madden went to school at Molong, played all his junior footy in the Cabonne region and still works in the area, all he wanted to do was play footy in Molong, too.
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He's getting that chance in 2019.
And on Sunday, Madden and the reincarnated Molong Bulls will mark a special moment in the club's history when it plays home game number one of the 2019 Woodbridge Cup season.
Sunday's round three clash with Eugowra marks six years to the day since Molong last ran out on to the Dr. Ross Memorial Recreation Ground and Madden says this weekend's game has "been a long time coming, a long time".
"I had one year with the club before they folded but when the rumours (of a Molong return) were going around ... I've been pumped up from the start," Madden said.
The chance to play with his brothers Tory Madden and Luke Williams, for their home-town club, would have aided that excitement.
They aren't alone either. Barrow brothers, Todd, Jye and Kade are running around, too, with the former coaching the Bulls in 2019. There's Jim and Mark Gavin, Edward and Scott Twist, as well.
Bringing the Bulls back has enabled a large chunk of the town to tick off a bucket list item but now that's done and dusted Madden says the club's attention has turned to the bigger picture.
We've got enough quality to win games but it's about playing simple. We don't have to be really flash.
- Molong forward Dan Madden.
The key now is ensuring the club's longevity. Madden believes the Bulls are here to stay.
"This will be a long-term thing. It's great having the club around and I think the town's just as excited about Sunday's game as the players are," the 27-year-old forward said.
Molong's last home game as on April 14, 2013, a 48-12 loss to Canowindra. The club folded a few rounds later.
"It's been six-or-so years but finals footy would be nice," he added.
The club hosts a Eugowra Golden Eagles side that lost its first-up clash with Grenfell but bounced back to knock off Condobolin 40-22 last weekend.
Molong's only game this season, too, has been against the Rams and a 40-32 Bulls win at Condobolin indicates Sunday's clash with the Eagles will be closely fought.
"For us it's all about ball control," Madden says looking forward.
"We have to play to our strengths and we do that when we hold the ball. We've got enough quality to win games but it's about playing simple. We don't have to be really flash."
Madden said Barrow, the former Orange Hawks and Bathurst Panthers captain-coach, has been tremendous with the Bulls.
Madden, a former Cargo Blue Heeler and last year a Canowindra Tigers gun, said the senior of the Barrow boys has provided the young Bulls with a real calming influence.
"He steadies the ship for us really well," Madden said.
The Bulls kicks off their return to Molong with the league tag clash at 12.40pm before the first grade game at 2pm.
In other round three games, Manildra travels to Canowindra to take on the Tigers, Condobolin hosts premiers Trundle and Peak Hill will play Grenfell. Cargo has the bye.
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