After an arduous fortnight, the lads will finally be able to take the field for their fallen teammate as they play host to the Mudgee Dragons at Norton Park in a round nine showdown.

In a tribute to the Keegan family, all CYMS junior squads will retire their number 12 jersey for the day and hang it over a chair alongside the bench.

And while 2021 has been a tricky campaign for Piper's outfit, it's hard to imagine they give anything less than their absolute best against the Red V.

"Having a break for the holidays I feel was a good thing," Piper said.

"We had our first training run on Tuesday and the boys were good and trained with lots of energy. I think they just want to get out there and do it for Keegs now."

As almost everyone would have heard by now, Keegan had an infectiously happy personality, something that will be sorely missed among the playing group and club.

"He was the positive influence on the team," he said.

"No matter the situation, he always thought we could come back or talked up what we were doing well."

Not only was he a glass-half-full character, he didn't lack confidence and always played above his weight.

"I constantly had to tell him he was a front-rower in a winger's body," he said.

"But, that never stopped him from jumping in the halves during training drills until he'd stuff up a play and I'd tell him to get back into the forwards line."

Clubs have a habit of binding together after these types of losses, and Piper can't stress enough how much he and his players appreciate the support shown by everyone.

"Everyone has shown great support to the boys, myself and the Keegan family," he said.

"We have given Keegs' number 12 to his family and all our jerseys have 'Keegs 12' embroidered onto them."

Not only will the 16s don a special jersey, but all CYMS players will wear a black armband in honour of Keegan.

In addition to this, there will be a minute silence prior to every age group's game, as well as an additional minute silence before the under-14s game to pay tribute to Luke Elliot.

The under 16s will round out the day of junior action as they will kick-off at 4pm.

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