ORANGE CYMS has lost Papua New Guinea international Larsen Marabe before a ball has been kicked, the Kumuls powerhouse forced to return home after the death of his father.
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Having last played with CYMS in 2012, Marabe was signed to return to the green and golds in 2015 and has trained strongly with the club throughout a gruelling pre-season, but captain-coach Mick Sullivan admits the cult hero may not be able to be brought back for this Group 10 campaign.
“It’s sad for Larsen, he’s obviously very close with his family,” Sullivan said in the lead-up to his side’s group 10 premier league clash with Hawks tomorrow.
CYMS will also be without new recruit Trent Rose in the backrow for tomorrow’s round one derby at Wade Park, although Sullivan was extremely excited about his side’s shot of a first-up victory as former Panthers, St Pat’s and Mudgee forward Simon Osborne, kiwi Logan Polkington, Matt Rose and Jerome Harrison prepare to debut in green and gold tomorrow.
He said with a new-look side boasting plenty of “raw ability”, the sky was the limit for CYMS this winter.
“It’s the first time I’ve played in the round one derby for three or four years. I’m feeling good, feeling fit,” Sullivan, a former NRL player, said.
“We’ve still got plenty of quality there ... Riley (Law) and Kyran (Bubb) will do the job for us.
“I’m excited to play with the Mortimer boys (Tim and Robbie), too, they bring plenty of enthusiasm to training and it’ll be good to see Timmy up against his old club ... hopefully he attracts most of their attention instead of me for a change,” Sullivan laughed.
Sullivan said with tomorrow’s game his side’s last in Orange until May 17 it was crucial to begin the year well.
“We have to give ourselves the best shot possible at finishing high on the ladder and winning games early will do that,” he added.
Tomorrow’s game kicks off at 2.30pm at Wade Park.
ORANGE CYMS: 1 Tim Bassmann, 2 Wayne Collet, 3 Robbie Mortimer, 4 Ben McAlpine, 5 Jerome Harrison, 6 Matt Rose, 7 Mick Sullivan, 8 Cam Jones, 9 Sam Hill, 10 Logan Polkington, 11 Riley Law, 12 Kyran Bubb, 13 Tim Mortimer; 14 Scott Sullivan, 15 Simon Osborne.