You couldn't count on two hands how many coaches Josh Tremain's had throughout his rugby union career which makes the following claim about Orange City first-grade coach Viv Paasi even more significant than it already was.
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"He might be the most motivated coach I've ever had."
The two-time Blowes Clothing Cup premiership-winning big man expressed his appreciation for Paasi on Wednesday as he gears up for what's set to be his 10th finals series.
The revamped Lions, who finished third in 2020, will visit Apex Oval to take on the Dubbo Kangaroos at the very venue they scored a buzzer-beating win just three weeks ago.
City's story this winter has been a captivating one to follow as they went from winless in 2019 to a genuine premiership threat, a transition Tremain knows wouldn't have happened without Paasi's leadership.
"He's unbelievable," Tremain said.
"Viv hasn't missed one session and he's put in a lot of hard work behind the scenes.
He might be the most motivated coach I've ever had.
- Josh Tremain.
"He puts in 130 per cent and communicates with everyone so well. He doesn't disregard any players and takes everything on board. If. you've got something to say, he'll listen wholeheartedly."
The Lions enter this semi-final bracket as one of the underdogs to take home the trophy but Tremain has belief this side is capable of defying the odds.
"We've got nothing to lose and everyone's just ready to play footy," he said.
"We've got so many guys from different backgrounds and walks of life. I believe we can take it the whole way."
He's spent some time on the sidelines in the last couple of years but Tremain says his physical condition is top notch.
"Would you believe that I'm feeling better than I ever have. I've trained bloody hard this year and the body feels outstanding."
"I'm really enjoying my rugby again at Orange City and I'm absolutely loving the guys I'm playing with.
"I really believe we can take it the whole way... that's no disrespect to the other teams but the belief is there for us and that's the key."
The Lions are buoyed by a recent victory at No. 2 Oval as Keegan Harding put the dagger through the Roos with a last-gasp penalty goal but Tremain knows motivation will be at an all-time high for the hosts on Saturday.
"They're going to lift and come out bloody hard," he said.
"It's going to be a cracking battle and hopefully we've got the energy left in the tank to do the job."
The sides have split the season series with Kangaroos defeating City at home in round two before the Lions played spoiler at Dubbo with a round seven win.
The winner will move on to the grand final to face the winner of Emus-Bulldogs.
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Jake Humphreys
Sports nut at the Central Western Daily.
Sports nut at the Central Western Daily.
