Considering Orange CYMS missed the finals in 2019, meeting captain-coach Dan Mortimer's suggestion he won't need to look too far outside the club next season in terms of recruitment with some skepticism is quite understandable.
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It must be noted again though, it was an alarming injury toll that squashed the green and golds' Group 10 premier league bid this year rather than a lack of cattle and in one particular case that stretched over from the season prior too.
The ever-present, ever-dangerous Joe Lasagavibau didn't take the field at all in 2019 after being cut down and shockingly breaking his leg in CYMS' preliminary final loss to Bathurst Panthers the year prior but the speedster will return next season.
He's one of more than a dozen signings, or re-signings in many cases, new CYMS president Dom Maley announced this week ahead of the club's 75th anniversary season, including a swag of local juniors and returning stars.
Here's hoping [Dan Mortimer] gets everyone going in the pre-season and then gets the best of everyone during the regular season.
- CYMS president Dom Maley
Although Lasagavibau was looking at a return in the 2019 season that didn't work out as planned and there was some scuttlebutt his career may be over after the setback, whispers Maley shut down quickly.
Many said the same of former Group 10 and Group 9 player-of-the-year Ben McAlpine after his troublesome hips forced him to go under the knife again this year but, similarly, Maley squashed that rumour in announcing he too is returning to the field in 2020.
"Having two guys of their calibre coming back is really big for the side, and the club in general because they do have so much experience, they've both won premierships with CYMS," Maley said.
"Joey was planning on a return this year, against (Bathurst) St Pat's from memory, but his final surgery was pushed back so he didn't make it back.
"Obviously it was a really nasty injury so it's probably not the worst thing he had a little bit more time to recover but he's back playing touch football now and is feeling pretty confident on it.
"Everyone knows how dangerous he is, whether on the rugby league or rugby union field, it'll be great to have him back and I know he's looking forward to it.
"Honestly, [McApline] probably toughed it out a bit long for us this year. He played through a lot of pain for a few games while we were suffering with injuries, but it got too much in the end and he had to have his hip done.
"But like Joey he's looking forward to getting back on the field and, honestly, our squad won't be too dissimilar to this year the difference is it looks like everyone will be fit and firing."
- MORE IN LEAGUE: PLAYERS ON THE MOVE | Group 10 and Group 11 signings for 2020
With Lasagavibau and McAlpine the highest-profile of CYMS' now-locked-up stars, Maley also announced the the re-signings of stalwarts Cam Jones, Joe Duffy, Tim and Rob Mortimer and Lachie Munro, while juniors Ben Gosper and Mitch Britt have returned from Barbarians as well.
Barnstorming back-rower Ethan Bereyne, one of CYMS' best in 2019, has also re-signed while exciting prospects Mitch Collins and Lincoln Monk have too.
"Ethan's a big unit, he was very good throughout the 2019 season and we're excited to have him back again, I still don't think he's realised his potential though so hopefully he goes to another level again," Maley said.
"When Mitch was fit he was in our first grade squad and did well before he got hurt, Lincoln Monk was hurt this year too, that just seems to have been the theme for us.
"But like every club, whether in the bush or city, we want those local juniors coming through into the top grade and it's good to see them doing that."
Maley also confirmed former CYMS and Western Rams under-18 half Josh Board will return to his junior club too, the young playmaker is moving back to Orange after a stint in Sydney.
The timing looks perfect for Board's return too, considering premiership-winning pivot Luke Petrie has linked with Manildra for the 2020 Woodbridge Cup season.
"Obviously we supported Boardy's move to Sydney completely, but we're excited he'll be with us now that he's coming to back to Orange, he'll add some depth to the halves stocks," Maley said.
"It is good timing with [Petrie] going out to Manildra and taking his chance out there, which is great for him. I think he has family out there and that played a big role in him going and obviously we'd never stand in his way, we're excited for him to have that opportunity and looking forward to him doing well in the Woodbridge Cup.
"Now it's just a matter of everyone staying fit so here's hoping Mort gets everyone going in the pre-season and then gets the best of everyone during the regular season."
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Matt Findlay
Formerly a sports specialist, I'm based at Orange and shift between wide-spread range of subjects here and, often, across the entire Central West region of NSW as well. I have almost a decade of experience in the media and marketing industries both here in Australia and internationally, along with journalism I have experience in content strategy, brand development, and digital and social media. Along the way, I've been fortunate to win a handful of media awards and be nominated for several others too.
Formerly a sports specialist, I'm based at Orange and shift between wide-spread range of subjects here and, often, across the entire Central West region of NSW as well. I have almost a decade of experience in the media and marketing industries both here in Australia and internationally, along with journalism I have experience in content strategy, brand development, and digital and social media. Along the way, I've been fortunate to win a handful of media awards and be nominated for several others too.
