GROUP NINE
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STRIVING to offset a serious player drain, Young captain-coach Luke Branighan is chasing "four marquee" recruits for next year.
Fresh from playing in the Group Nine finals in September, the Cherrypickers have been struck by the harsh reality of losing six of the players that got them there.
In the bitter fallout of the failed Group Nine campaign, Young has bled Simon Woolford, Nathan Nash, Blake Hewitt, Sam Langford, Mitch Casey and Weissel Medal-winner Ben McAlpine for 2013.
With a gaping hole to fill, Branighan yesterday revealed he was not standing idle and had taken a pro-active approach.
"Hopefully in three or four weeks we will have several quality signings," Branighan said yesterday.
"We're looking at four marquee players and they will obviously help plug the gaps."
Coming at a time when other Group Nine clubs have announced a string of major recruits, Young is definitely on the back foot and in dangerous territory.
Branighan yesterday conceded the Cherrypickers needed to attract some talent to keep pace with their rivals.
"It certainly looks like all the clubs have picked up some key players," he said.
"There's been a lot of signings and our aim is to try to follow suit.
"It is going to be a very tough competition next year."
Set to head overseas for several weeks in December, Branighan is keen to secure the prized signings before he leaves.
"We won't be starting training until after Christmas," he said.
"That will more than enough time because the premiership doesn't start until April.
"There are some competitions in between, of course, but a lot of the players aren't ready too early."
On a positive front, Branighan has declared he has completely recovered from a long-term hamstring injury that forced him to miss half of the 2012 season.
"I'm all systems go," he said.
"I'm really keen to have a big year."
Losing McAlpine, Woolford, Hewitt and company will put a huge strain on Young.
A former NRL hero, Woolford was a decisive playmaker and frontline defender, while McAlpine made the most of opportunities that were created.
McAlpine has signed with Orange CYMS and Woolford will be non-playing coach in the Canberra competition in 2013.
MISSING: Blake Hewitt is among a raft of players to leave Young before the 2013 Group Nine premiership.