John Grey back from injury for grand final
Nick Guthrie - Daily Liberal
HE'S BACK: John Grey has overcome a hamstring injury to reclaim his place on the CYMS wing for Sunday's grand final against the Forbes Magpies. Photo: BELINDA SOOLE
John Grey knows all too well the feeling of spending long periods of time on the treatment table and missing important matches.
That’s why earning his spot back on the wing for Sunday’s grand final with CYMS means so much.
Grey, who missed last year's grand final win with the Fishies due to injury, has not played since his side’s clash with Westside back on July 31 due to a hamstring injury.
But plenty of rehab and work on the training pitch has convinced CYMS coach Tim Ryan to pick the experienced campaigner for Sunday’s decider against the Forbes Magpies.
"I’ve actually worked it out that in the last eight years I haven’t been able to string ten games together in a season,” he said.
I’m just really happy to be part of another grand final with a great club.- John Grey
“It’s just been a reoccurring theme, the injuries. Some blokes can get through a season unscathed and unfortunately for blokes like myself, every other week there is some form of injury.
“I’m just really happy to be part of another grand final with a great club.”
Grey admitted his early feelings were not good when suffering the injury against the Rabbitohs.
As well as having to get himself fit again, he needed his side to keep winning and the Fishies looked after him in that regard as they finished as undefeated minor premiers before cruising past the Nyngan Tigers in the major semi to book a grand final spot.
But just being fit wasn’t reason enough to get back in the side, and Grey admitted it’s taken a lot of hard work and trust from the coach for him to reclaim his number five jersey.
“We’ve got a couple of young guns that have really done a job and I’ve had the majority of the season on the sidelines, the opening weeks and the back end included, so there’s a lot of people that have filled in the gaps,” he said.
“But I’ve done the hard yards and made sure I was at training consistently, irregardless of the injuries, and I’ve made sure I’ve been doing my rehab to the full extent.
“Timmy (Ryan) has showed me bit of faith when putting me in and I just hope I can do a job for him and the boys.”
Hamish Astill, who is one player who has spent time on the wing in Grey’s absence, drops back to the bench while fellow youngster Jayden Merritt misses out and will play in the reserve grade decider.