Eman Rodriguez can still remember the last game he played in green and gold for CYMS.
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It was the under 18 grand final in Lithgow against Cowra in 2006, playing alongside "epic players" like Daniel Mortimer and Steve Morris, and that decider - like the football world - was their oyster.
"We bummed it," Rodriguez said, laughing.
"We had one player go over the line to score the try which would have put us in front and he dropped it."
Aside from the loss, which still stings nearly 15 years later, Rodriguez remembers something else from that year - the presence of Dan Mortimer.
"He had great vision, great leader on the field," he said.
With Mortimer coming back to CYMS to captain-coach his former club for the next two seasons, Rodriguez will also return to the don the green and gold after two seasons at Orange Hawks - and he's excited.
"I think it was the return of Dan, always wanted to play with the Mortimer brothers again," he said of his reason for the switch.
"I think with Daniel's experience, being an NRL grand final winner and experience at the Roosters, good coaching staff and players around him ... with that knowledge of the game I think he'll be a vital part of CYMS.
"Coming out of a two-year contact at Hawks, I have a lot of respect for everyone at Hawks but I thought it was time to move on and challenge myself somewhere else."
While Rodriguez is stoked to be back at CYMS, he's also relishing the chance to make a new position his own.
"I wasn't really happy playing on the wing last year but I'll play anywhere my coach tells me," he said.
"I'd rather be in the centres or fullback and if the opportunity comes I'll take it 100 per cent.
"I think I wasn't utilised at my best ... Daniel said he'd give me a chance as much as he can and if I prove myself to be the best in that position that's where he'll put me."
While Rodriguez jumped between teams regularly during his time on the other side of the Blue Mountains without much hassle, he knows jumping to Hawks' cross-town rivals will rustle some feathers, especially close to home.
Rodriguez's sister Jacky Lyden is vice-president of the two blues, and all his family bar nephew Zeke Selwood are affiliated with Hawks in some way, shape or form.
"It's going to annoy her having my photo in the paper," he said grinning.
Despite Hawks claiming last year's minor premiership and CYMS not making finals, Rodriguez thinks the green machine has the potential to go all the way in 2020, which factored into his move.
"Obviously everyone wants to win, it's what everyone plays sport for. I've been playing for a while now and coming out of international rugby sevens with the Philippines ... I want to keep testing myself," he said.
"I'm excited, very excited to be playing for the greens. They've got a good team back this year."