Fishing for a hat-trick
By BEN WALKER
THE lure of winning three straight Group 11 premierships will drive Tim Ryan in 2016, after the Dubbo CYMS legend was confirmed as the Fishies coach for next season.
Ryan has led the green and whites to success in 2014 and 2015 after a distinguished playing career that saw him play an on-field role in multiple grand final wins.
CYMS announced their 2016 coaching roster at their presentation dinner last weekend, with Ryan to be supported by Joel Rapley and Nick Wilson (reserve grade), Wayne Sing and Bernard Wilson (under-18s) and Gerry 'Chicka' Merritt and Shane Madden (league tag).
Ryan, who gave a rare display of emotion when his side beat Parkes in September's grand final, said in the end it was an easy decision to go on, despite holding a belief that people could get stale if in a role for too long.
"I'm not a real believer in staying in coaching jobs for too long because the boys hear you syaing the same things week in, week out and it can wear thin," he said.
"But we've created something pretty special at CYMS. Recent history shows that it's hard to win back-to-back titles and we've done that and it's a top bunch of blokes so I was happy to go again.
"Three in a row is something that hasn't been done since we won four straight in the early 2000s so that is a motivating factor.
"I took a lot of satisfaction from this year's win because I probably soaked it up more than I have any other grand final as a player or a coach."
Rumours have been circulating in recent times about CYMS potentially losing a number of their young stars from this year's premiership team.
Ryan said the lure of moving away to further their football or professional careers was not something he could control.
"I did the same thing," he said.
"Young guys get opportunities all the time in various capacities but whether the guys that are rumoured to be moving on will actually do that, I don't know.
"You never see teams the same from one year to the next anyway. We were a different team this season to what we were last season and that just happens naturally.
"I haven't really spoken to any of the boys one-on-one yet but we can only work with who we have when training rolls around."
The return of CYMS stalwarts Nick and Bernard Wilson to the fold is something Ryan sees as a positive, with both men expected to bring a wealth of knowledge to their new roles.
"Bernard has been with the current St Johns 16s for a while and they're making the step up to 18s next season so having him stick will help those boys, and having 'Singy' there as well can only help as well," Ryan said.
"And I think 'Fridge' is pretty keen to work with Joel Rapley and the reserves, as well as maybe play some first grade, so having him back in both capacities can only be good for our club.
"The positive thing is these guys are still wanting to be involved and part of the club and that helps build the kind of culture we have."