THERE’S winners and losers out of every draw, and on face value, with the club’s first home game not until round six, the biggest loser out of next season’s Group 10 draw is Orange CYMS.
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Captain-coach Mick Sullivan, however, is all smiles.
Dealt a cruel blow with just two home games over the opening nine rounds of the season, when the draw flips Sullivan’s green and golds will enjoy an unprecedented run of six games out of eight leading into the finals at Wade Park - a run that includes a six-week stretch from rounds 10 to 15 where the club’s furthest trip is Blayney.
With a dream run home, Sullivan said the key for CYMS was beginning the season on the front foot.
With that in mind, there’s no coincidence Sullivan already has his side in training.
“That’s the perfect draw for us,” Sullivan said.
“I’d much prefer us to gain a bit of momentum at home towards the backend of the season and hit the semi-finals with a home game. It really sets you up to go deep into the finals.”
A path Sullivan is desperate to take given CYMS missed the finals for the first time in the former NRL gun’s five-year tenure at the club in 2014.
Kicking off the year with a derby against Hawks in round one - the season opener is a two blues home game - CYMS have a round two bye before they hit the road with trips to Lithgow, Oberon and Bathurst St Pat’s before hosting Blayney in round six.
CYMS then travel to Cowra before hosting Mudgee, then again hitting the road to Bathurst to face Panthers at Carrington Park.
In the second round, however, CYMS only have to travel to King George Oval, Blayney, and then Glen Willow, Mudgee.
Sullivan said fitness would be the key in getting the jump on the rest of Group 10 in 2015 - that, and a massive recruitment drive pinned on Orange talent in a bid to get more contiuity out of his squad.
“It’s all locals ... that won't happen this year,” Sullivan said looking back at season 2014’s disjointed training regime.
CYMS began training last week at Central Fitness.
“There’s people who couldn’t make it, that’s understandable, people have commitments around Christmas time, but those who don’t make it before Christmas will enjoy it afterwards ... they’ll pay for it then,” Sullivan said.
“It’s only going to get tougher and they’ll pay for it. We have to be fitter this season.”
CYMS will trial against the Young Cherrypickers while the team will also travel to West Wyalong for the rich Group 20 knockout.
Sullivan will then round out the club’s preparation for 2015 with a hit-out at the Bathurst knockout.
