RUGBY LEAGUE
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MEET the banker.
Jerome Harrison, Orange CYMS’ human vault, stopping even the most distinguished attacking threats - think Corin Smith, Jeremy Gordon and Terry Brown - throughout the opening 11 rounds of the 2015 Group 10.
A dead-ringer for Matt Utai circa 2003, the 19-year-old former Sydney resident is the green and golds’ left edge clamp, and player-coach Mick Sullivan says the stocky three-quarter’s uncanny ability to put an end to even the most potent attacking raid means Harrison’s tackling technique is safer than a, you guessed it, bank.
“It’s a bit of a strength of mine, always has been,” Harrison said of his defence.
“I’m not sure why. I just love tackling. The footy is a bit slower (in Group 10) but it’s physical. I’ve played in the centres my whole life, and I like getting up there and whacking guys. It’s a lot of fun.”
Ahead of tomorrow’s clash with fellow heavyweights Lithgow Workies at Wade Park, Sullivan said Harrison has been one of his most reliable players.
“He just doesn’t make mistakes,” he said.
“He’s the kind of guy you want around the club, and he’s defensive reads out wide have been great for us.
“We’ve been able to bank on it really.”
VIDEO: Matt Findlay and Nick McGrath preview this weekend's matches:
And, CYMS will be hoping anyway, tomorrow’s clash with Workies will see the bank shut up shop at Wade Park.
Inspiring the best defensive record in the competition - CYMS have conceded 128 points in nine games throughout 2015 at a rate of 14.2 points per game - Harrison’s rock-like defence will be key as the runaway premiership favourites host one of this year’s contenders, Lithgow.
It was only a month ago these two teams met on a Friday night in Lithgow, with the temperature by the end of the 16-14 CYMS’ win hovering near the zero degree mark.
Tomorrow’s temperature is expected to be higher - somewhat - and Sullivan said he was determined to shut out Lithgow on home soil and, potentially, shoot out to a six-point competition lead over the rest of the Group 10 chasers.
“It was cold that day,” Harrison laughed.
“For us it’s pretty simple, if we can defend well and do it for each other then we’ll continue to do well.”
Sullivan said he was hopeful the chips would fall CYMS’ way - Blayney has to lose to Mudgee - and his side goes six points clear at the top of the table, a position Sullivan says should gift the green and golds the 2015 minor premiership.
“That’s the goal, that’s how I’m approaching this game,” he said.
Kick-off is at 1.45pm at Wade Park.
ORANGE CYMS: 1 Tim Bassmann, 2 Robbie Mortimer, 3 Jerome Harrison, 4 Ben McAlpine, 5 Semisi Katoa, 6 Matt Rose, 7 Mick Sullivan, 8 Cam Jones, 9 Sam Hill, 10 Simon Osborne, 11 Trent Rose, 12 Riley Law, 13 Tim Mortimer; 14 Kyran Bubb, 15 Logan Pocklington, 16 Scott Sullivan.