The green and golds have been brilliant during a dominant run to the decider at Wade Park, but Monk, who was crowned the best player in the competition as judged by coaches and referees at the Group 10 awards night last Friday, says the green and gold juniors are out to show everyone just how good they can be when they take on St Pat;s on Sunday.

“All of the boys are pumped to play this weekend,” Monk said.

“We’ve trained well and all we want is to get out there and prove we’re the best 18s side this year.

“We’ve beaten (Sunday’s opponent, Bathurst St Pat’s) three times this year so we’ve got the upper hand there, but grand finals are funny days so we know we have to be at our best.”

Monk edged Bathurst Panthers gun Adam Fearnley by a point to be crowned the 2017 player of the year.

The hard-working lock said he had an inkling he’d be accepting some sort of award after receiving an invite to the presentation night.

“But I didn’t expect the player of the year award ... I knew I had a good year, but I was injured for a few games so I was surprised to get that many votes,” Monk said, polling 22 votes for the season.

CYMS hasn’t won an under 18s grand final since 2007 – that side included the likes of CYMS premiership winner Tim Bassmann, as well as players like Jake Anlezark, Ron Lawrence, Steve Morris, Michael Nixon and Jared Brodrick who all went on to play a lot of premier league footy in Group 10.

This CYMS side set to run out on Sunday is brimming with just as much talent – if not more.

“We’ve got a range of talent throughout the team. I was shocked not to see a fer of us up there receiving awards. I’m lucky to be part of such a team,” the 18-year-old added.

“It’s going to be great to have that home ground advantage as well.”