WEST WYALONG KNOCKOUT
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WEISSEL Medal-winning ace Ben McAlpine will make a long-awaited return to his junior club tomorrow as he debuts for the Orange Cyms in the West Wyalong Knockout.
Headlining a trio of top recruits for the Group 10 giant, the gun five-eighth is set to star for Cyms in his first clash since wrapping up a Weissel Medal-winning Group Nine season with Young at the end of last year.
Under former NRL star Michael Sullivan’s tutelage, Cyms are tipped to dominate the prestigious carnival with the help of McAlpine and a swag of significant signings.
Speaking yesterday, club official Matt King didn’t mince words when he declared Cyms were playing to win the $12,000 West Wyalong Knockout when it kicks off at Ron Crowe Oval tomorrow.
“We’re going over to win it, absolutely,” he told The Daily Advertiser yesterday.
“We got beat in extra time in the first year we went over and then last year we were beaten on countback by West Wyalong themselves to get into the final.
“We’ve never been beaten in normal time over there, but we really love playing West Wyalong because it’s such a competitive competition.
“We’d love to win it this year.”
So determined are Cyms to claim victory, Sullivan is a confirmed starter to play his first trial for the club in his fourth year as captain-coach.
Adding to the firepower, Bulldogs under 20s winger Ali Beale (cousin of Wallabies star Kurtley Beale) and Papua New Guinea international Enock Maki will debut tomorrow.
Bringing a wealth of experience, Maki played in the front-row against Australia in October last year, and more recently in a trial against South Sydney at Redfern Oval a fortnight ago.
However, McAlpine is only available to play tomorrow night’s opening clash against Bidgee Hurricanes due to a wedding commitment on Saturday.
Cyms took out the Group 10 premiership in 2010 and 2011, but were beaten for the title by Lithgow the last year’s grand final.
King is adamant this could be the best year yet.
“We think this will be our biggest year ever, we believe Mick is the best coach in bush football and he’s brought so much to our club,” he said.
“We’ve kept mostly all our players, plus these new recruits.”
West Wyalong Knockout draw
Tomorrow
6.30pm: Temora v Forbes
7.05pm: Blayney v Tullibigeal Lakes United
7.40pm: Southcity v Darlington Point Coleambally
8.15pm: West Belconnen v Brothers
8.50pm: Queanbeyan Kangaroos v West Wyalong
9.25pm: Bidgee Hurricanes v Orange CYMS
10pm: Woden Valley v Cootamundra
10.35pm: Tumbarumba v Cowra
Saturday
5pm: Quarter-final
5.40pm: Quarter-final
6.20pm: Quarter-final
7pm: Quarter-final
7.40pm: Semi-final
8.20pm: Semi-final
9.30pm: Final