He's currently on ice with a broken ankle but Orange CYMS' forward Rhys Draper has big plans for his rugby league career when he's fully fit.
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After playing for the green and golds as a junior, the 20-year-old recently converted back to the 13-a-side code after a run with rugby union at Kinross Wolaroi School.
He tragically sustained the injury at Bathurst's pre-season knockout but when he's ready to return to the field, plans to leave town and chase his NRL dream.
He's been in contact with the Western Suburbs Red Devils, a side that plays in the Illawarra competition.
From there, he hopes to work his way up the ranks.
"I want to get myself into an NRL system," Draper said.
I want to get myself into an NRL system. Being at Wollongong will give me more opportunities to play at a higher level.
- Rhys Draper.
"Being at Wollongong will give me more opportunities to play at a higher level."
For now, Draper's working closely with CYMS' first grade side, soaking up information from the club's senior players wherever he can.
"Daniel Mortimer's sort of taken me under his wing and helped get me involved where he can," he said.
It's players like Mortimer who Draper looks up to, but when it comes to current NRL talent, he's inspired by a South Sydney back rower.
"I like watching Cam Murray play," he said.
"He's got quick feet and obviously he's a little bit smaller. Defensively, I like to follow Victor Radley. If anyone knows how I play, I love my defence."
Draper has been juggling his footy career with an online business degree at Macquarie University, so it's not as if he'll be left empty handed if he doesn't crack the big time.
It would have been easy to keep playing rugby union after he left high school, but Draper was drawn back to league.
"I was really missing it. It's something my whole family has been involved in," he said.
"My dad played with CYMS and my uncle Albert Murray played at a high level as well."
According to the medical report, there's a strong chance Draper will spend the whole 2002 season on the sidelines but hopes he can sneak a few games in.
He won't be on the field carting the ball up anytime soon, but plans to surround himself with the players and coaches at CYMS so he's in the right frame of mind when it's time to play again.
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