GROUP NINE
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
YOUNG captain-coach Luke Branighan is refusing to sugar coat the task confronting the Cherrypickers in the strongest Group Nine premiership in the modern era.
At a time when almost every Group Nine team has snagged some key personnel, Young has lost six "quality" players, but not landed a single recruit.
Despite the flow of talent out of the town, Branighan has not lost confidence the Cherrypickers can be a competitive force in 2013.
Branighan yesterday revealed he was pinning his faith on emerging young players and prospective late signings to fill some gaping holes in the team.
"We've got some exciting kids," Branighan said.
"I'm sure they will step up.
"We're also hoping to pick up two or three big signings, but I don't want to jump the gun and say too much at this stage.
"There is nothing set in concrete at the moment."
Amid speculation Young may swoop on overseas players, Branighan admits the team is currently way behind most of its Group Nine rivals.
"It's going to be a tough season," he said.
"The players that left were all quality players."
In a stunning off-season drain, Young has haemorrhaged Weissel Medal winner Ben McAlpine, ex-NRL hero Simon Woolford, Blake Hewitt, Sam Langford, Mitch Casey, Nathan Nash and Nic Langford since the end of the 2012 season.
McAlpine and Woolford, in particular, played a huge role in steering Young to the Group Nine finals last year, only for the Cherrypickers to dip out.
"I realise we've lost a stack," Branighan said.
"It makes things hard, but hopefully we can get the guys we're chasing."
Branighan is adamant the Group Nine premiership will be at its most competitive this year.
"It really looks as if the bottom teams (from last year) will be so much stronger," he said.
"Tumbarumba has really recruited well and so has Temora.
"In saying that, the top three sides (Albury, Southcity, Gundagai) look as though they will be as strong or stronger than last year."
Branighan believes Southcity has struck the jackpot with English speedster Shane Ainscough, who he knows from his days in Great Britain.
Young is also seeking a trial game to set up the team for the Group Nine-Group 20 pre-season competition on March 26 and April 6.