Forget what’s happened so far in 2017, this weekend’s Group 10 major semi-final against Oberon at Wade Park is a completely different kettle of fish for Orange CYMS.
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And it’s all because of one player – Tigers captain-coach Luke Branighan.
While CYMS will receive a welcome boost from several players’ return on Sunday, they make no difference to the fact the green and golds haven’t face a Tigers side with Branighan in it this year.
Fact is, the Tigers are a far different side with their mentor on the field.
In the nine games he’s played this season Oberon’s won seven, scored 237 points and conceded just 150.
In the eight games he’s missed Oberon’s won just four, scored only 137 points and conceded 192, and had 50 points racked on it twice.
“(CYMS captain-coach) Mick (Sullivan) raves about Luke Branighan, he’s said this week he’s a player like we probably haven’t seen before,” CYMS lock Rob Mortimer said.
“He obviously makes a big difference to the Oberon side, you only have to look at the way they bounced back against Bathurst Panthers last week to see that, and a big factor for us this weekend is the fact we haven’t played them when he’s been there.
“Panthers have troubled us a bit this year too, so I think after last week Oberon have to be considered the danger side. They’re certainly on our radar and we won’t be underestimating them.”
Even so, Mortimer said the feeling among the CYMS group is one of confidence. They deserve to be, after claiming the minor title.
Luke Branighan obviously makes a big difference to the Oberon side.
- CYMS' Rob Mortimer
“The group is feeling really good, the feeling at training was great this week and we’re quietly confident,” Mortimer said.
Mortimer is one of three guns CYMS welcome back this weekend, older brother Tim and the barnstorming Chris Bamford are both coming back too.
The green and golds will be without mercurial five-eighth Dom Maley though, while Bronx Goodwin remains sidelined as well.
“Dom will be missed on Sunday, I think he’s been our best recently, but Luke Petrie has done the job there for half of this year so I’m sure he will again,” Mortimer said.
“The guys who have filled our spots have been great, but I think it helps us having a few guys with a lot of big game experience back, especially Timmy and Bam.”
Although Mortimer admitted he expected to be seeing Panthers at Wade Park on Sunday, who CYMS play is somewhat inconsequential in terms of the side’s end goal – earning the right to host a third straight grand final.
“That’s it, we want the grand final. Honestly, I thought Panthers would win that [qualifying semi-final] but it didn’t happen that way,” Mortimer said.
“Last time around Oberon really attacked our left edge defence, it was myself, Dom and Lachie Munro that day, a pretty young edge really. We’re sort of thinking that might attack that side again.
“We’re looking forward to it, it should be a good day.”
Kick-off at Wade Park is at 2.45pm.
- ORANGE CYMS: 1 Ben McAlpine, 2 Tom Satterthwaite, 3 Joe Lasagavibau, 4 Lachlan Munro, 5 Semisi Katoa, 6 Luke Petrie, 7 Mick Sullivan (c), 8 Cam Jones, 9 Ryan Griffin, 10 Chris Bamford, 11 Joe Duffy, 12 Brenden Cousins, 13 Rob Mortimer; Bench: 14 Sam Hill, 15 Tim Mortimer, 16 Brock McGarity, 17 Paradise Mann
Matt Findlay
Formerly a sports specialist, I'm based at Orange and shift between wide-spread range of subjects here and, often, across the entire Central West region of NSW as well. I have almost a decade of experience in the media and marketing industries both here in Australia and internationally, along with journalism I have experience in content strategy, brand development, and digital and social media. Along the way, I've been fortunate to win a handful of media awards and be nominated for several others too.
Formerly a sports specialist, I'm based at Orange and shift between wide-spread range of subjects here and, often, across the entire Central West region of NSW as well. I have almost a decade of experience in the media and marketing industries both here in Australia and internationally, along with journalism I have experience in content strategy, brand development, and digital and social media. Along the way, I've been fortunate to win a handful of media awards and be nominated for several others too.
