Nathan Potts' influence on the field for Orange Hawks simply cannot be overstated, despite a bewildering lack of representative jerseys he's been consistently outstanding in recent years, leading the two blues' back with his tireless, workhorse performances.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
So much so his name should be uttered more often when Group 10's water cooler chat inevitably circles around speculation of premier league's absolute best.
But few, if any would realise just how big an off-field influence the hulking yet fuzzy-wuzzy lock played in the two blues' resurgence in recent years.
Hawks president Mark Johnston does though.
I've got no doubt [Potts'] verbal commitment to the club helped me sign a large chunk of the team (for 2017).
- Hawks president Mark Johnston
In fact, in the lead-up to this weekend's all-Orange derby Johnston all but said Potts was as much a catalyst for the two blues' rebuild as the signing of effervescent player-coach Willie Heta.
He took the Central Western Daily back to 2016 in telling the story, a tumultuous year for the two blues.
Jason Gangaram had the reins of a young side that won just two games on their way to finishing second last, in front of only the winless Lithgow Workies.
They looked better than that on paper but their performances, largely, painted a far different picture, and they were hammered 88-nil by cross-city rivals CYMS in round 16 of that season.
Gangaram didn't hold back after that defeat, after it was revealed seven of CYMS' side that day were actually in Hawks' 2013 grand final side, also beaten by the green and golds in the big dance.
"Loyalty is dead in this game. There's nothing left. Players don't play for the jersey. They see dollar signs and that's it," Gangaram fired after that 16-try shellacking.
Hawks' then-captain-coach confirmed the club was already in talks with senior players regarding a rebuild in 2017 at that stage, but as Johnston explained those discussions hadn't amounted to much in the weeks following that loss.
In fact, he explained the situation had gone from bad to desperate.
"It was my first month after taking on the role of president and I had no coach and no players. No one wanted to sign with us," he explained.
"I'd had probably 25 meetings (with players) but no one wanted to commit after 2016."
Enter Potts, who won Hawks' player of the year in 2016 despite being in his first full season in the top flight.
"I went to a ball one night and spoke to Pottsy late in the evening," Johnston said, confirming the pair were well and truly lubricated by the time they discussed business.
"This was about a month after that 88-nil thrashing and he basically said he wasn't going anywhere until he beat CYMS in first grade, he gave me his word and committed there and then."
Using Potts as leverage in the best way possible, Johnson explained after that the negotiations stopped stalling, and the signatures started coming.
"I used that information when dealing and negotiating with players, with everyone, from then on," Johnston said.
"Pottsy has always held a great level of respect with his fellow players and peers and I've got no doubt his verbal commitment to the club helped me sign a large chunk of the team."
Then, on top of that, the club signed Heta, who's success as player-coach is undeniable.
But while Potts' role in the rebuild, whether he was aware of it or not, was monumental, he still hasn't had the chance to help take down the two blues' traditional rivals.
Hawks have beaten CYMS just once since that 88-nil thrashing, a 42-40 victory in an 82-point shoot-out in round seven last year, but Potts didn't play.
He was recovering from the surgery he had on a badly broken jaw just four days prior, which cost him the remainder of the 2018 season as well.
"Injury has stopped him fulfilling that commitment, but I've got no doubt he can put a tick next to that box on Sunday afternoon," Johnston said.
Naturally, that's exactly what Potts is hellbent on doing too.
"That's the goal mate, it'd be bloody good to get the win over them. Although I don't really remember that discussion with Johnno," he laughed, playing down any influence he "apparently" had on Hawks' climb from the premier league doldrums.
"I think it was under 18s that I last played in a side that beat CYMS so it's been a while between drinks for me, it'll be tough on Sunday though."
While Hawks remain in a share for the competition lead with Mudgee and defending premiers Bathurst Panthers, CYMS have battled their way through the opening eight rounds and sit seventh with just two wins on the board.
"I haven't actually seen anything of CYMS this year but I've heard they've had a few injuries and that sort of thing, but they've still got a quality side and it's a derby after all so they'll certainly be as motivated as us," the 21-year-old said, before reflection on his side's bumper start to the year.
"We're going along alright but the biggest thing is trying to find some consistency, we can't keep going from good to bad every few weeks."
Personally Potts has been reasonably happy with his form and his jaw is "good as gold", also admitting the pain of watching his side get bundled out of last year's finals with back-to-back losses is somewhat of a motivator.
"It was tough to watch those two losses to Cowra and Panthers because you do want to be out there helping the boys get those wins, but it was good to watch them win some big games at the end of the (regular) season too, and that's footy really. You can't win them all," he said.
"I've actually copped a few knocks on the jaw this year but it feels good, back to normal really."
Corey Brown returns for the two blues and will start on the wing, with Duncan Young holding down the fullback spot after several handy performances in the No.1 jersey.
Potts' chance to fulfill his commitment begins from 2.30pm at Wade Park, with under-18 league tag starting the day at 9.30am.
- ORANGE HAWKS: 1 Duncan Young, 2 Eman Rodriguez, 3 Jared Brodrick, 4 Jack Aumuller, 5 Corey Brown, 6 Willie Heta, 7 Matt Boss, 8 Ethan McKellar, 9 Alex Prout, 10 Sam Coyte, 11 Rakai Tuheke, 12 Talon Hodge, 13 Nathan Potts; Bench: 14 Ethan Monk, 15 Brett Morgan, 16 Lawrence Fogg, 17 Matt Foliaki.
- ORANGE CYMS: 1 Lachie Munro, 2 Travis Adelehorf, 3 Dom Maley, 4 Robbie Mortimer, 5 Jacob Sutherland, 6 Ben McAlpine, 7 Luke Petrie, 8 Cam Jones, 9 Ryan Griffin, 10 Joe Duffy, 11 Kain Earsman, 12 Ethan Bereyne, 13 Tim Mortimer; Bench: 14 Joseph Ualesi, 15 Tyrone Harrison
WANT MORE ORANGE AND REGIONAL SPORT?
- Receive our free newsletters delivered to your inbox, as well as breaking news alerts. Sign up below ...