That's partly why, after deciding to completely commit himself to a season in rugby league, he found it so hard to watch his beloved Lions struggle through a tumultuous 2018 season, in which the proud club won just one game.

And that's partly why, although he's still juggling commitments with Orange Hawks too, he's returned to the Lions' den full-time this season and has once again taken his place on the side of the side's scrum as Orange City looks to return to their former glory.

"Last year I just wanted a change, I'd wanted to have a crack in Group 10 for a while, even when I was playing league with Cargo before, but it was tough to watch Orange City get beaten just about every week," Young, who will shift to No.8 with Tatafu Na'anuimotu ruled out this week, said.

"Every club goes through these cycles, it's the nature of it, I guess we were just unlucky in way that we were struggling when [Central West Rugby Union's tier-structure came in], because it meant there wasn't any easy games and you're playing really strong sides every week.

"It's encouraging to see so many guys stuck around this year though and it's good to see a few other guys come back to help because they could see the club was struggling. That's the main reason I've come back, I wanted to help."

While he admitted the phrase "on the right track" is beginning to sound like a cliche when used to describe his Lions Young, who will make his 150^th top grade appearance this weekend, said it absolutely rings true in terms of the work-in-progress side.

"It's a different feeling. The year before last it sort of felt like a lot of guys had got to the stage where they weren't enjoying their rugby as much, but it's a pretty good feeling in the group at the moment. The commitment everyone's showing is great to see, everyone's putting in for each other and the attitude is there," he said.

"It will be a proud moment for me in terms of the 150^th game, especially being at home. I guess it is a pretty big achievement and it's nice to reach these individual milestones but that's never the biggest focus."

He'll mark that milestone at Pride Park, as he said, when his Lions host the also-winless Dubbo Kangaroos on Saturday afternoon. Orange City have been edged out 15-3 by Cowra and beaten convincingly 62-28 by Bathurst Bulldogs, while Roos were also beaten by the latter side before narrowly going down to Orange Emus, losing that game 36-27.

"Looking at Dubbo, they only just got beaten by Emus so it won't be easy. Like I said in this competition you have to be up for every single game so this one's no different," Young said, before saying the Easter general bye will have done his side a world of good.

"Playing a big, physical side like Cowra and then backing up against a young, fast team like Bulldogs was tough. I wasn't there for the second game but we had a few injuries too, a few new faces coming in which forced reshuffles.

"The commitment everyone's showing is great to see, everyone's putting in for each other and the attitude is there and we've been going along alright defensively.

"Obviously leaking 60-odd points against Bathurst isn't great but it's just a few first-up tackles that need to be made, we're working towards it."

Fletcher Rose comes onto the side of Orange City's scrum with Young shifting to the back, while Colin McGregory and Scott Smith come into the second row. Nick Smith and Tom West take their place in the backline with Lachie Blunt and Keegan Harding out too.

Orange City host Roos from 3.15pm at Pride Park on Saturday afternoon.