CYMS and Nyngan just 80 minutes from the grand final
Nick Guthrie
WILY VETERAN: The big-match experience of players like Luke Jenkins will be key again for Dubbo CYMS on Sunday. Photo: BELINDA SOOLE
Dubbo CYMS coach Tim Ryan and his team know all about finals football.
For the past two seasons they have powered through the post-season and finished as premiership winners.
But despite that, Ryan is still making it clear to his players that they need to lift and take their game to a new level.
The Fishies enjoyed a week off after finishing as minor premiers and on Sunday meet the Nyngan Tigers in a major semi-final at Caltex Park, knowing a win will guarantee them a place in the decider.
“The boys are going along alright but it’s a different level now," Ryan said.
“And Nyngan had a game last week so they’re already in their post-season and we’ve got to be ready to go up and a notch.
“The intensity goes up, the crowds are bigger and teams can be in different dressing sheds so you’ve got to go to another level in all aspects or you’ll get left behind.”
The Tigers come into Sunday’s match as the side which has posed the biggest threat to CYMS in 2016.
On the two occasions the sides have met the Fishies have won, but both matches were still in the balance in the final minutes.
But this time out the Tigers will head on to the field still reeling from the blow they received at the judiciary on Thursday night.
Star hooker and Western Rams representative Reece Goldmsith is out for the rest of the season after being found guilty of a dangerous throw last week against Macquarie while powerful centre Jone Yacadrau will is serving a one-week ban because of a high tackle.
Captain-coach Byron Warren, who plays fullback, is also in doubt after suffering a groin injury in last week’s win over the Raiders.
But despite that, Ryan said any Nyngan team which runs out will be tough to beat.
“They’re a good side who will come to play,” he said.
“We’ve had a look at them twice and they’ve got good defence and they’re big through the middle and big out on the edges too so we’ve got to be watchful all over the park.”
His main focus is on his own side, with the make-up of the team still undecided as of Friday afternoon with the likes of Alex Ronayne and John Grey missing plenty of football recently due to injury.
The consistency Ryan has been able to have in his team selection has been a big part of CYMS’ success and the experienced core will be key again on Sunday.
“We’ve got nine or 10 blokes who have been there for the last couple of years which helps,” Ryan said.
“But there’s new fellas who have come in and they’ve got to get up for it but everyone is on the same page, which is good.”
Sunday gets underway with League Tag at 10.30am while the first grade match is expected to start at 1.30pm.