YOUNG captain-coach James Woolford is refusing to let the loss of two overseas recruits takes the gloss of the Cherrypickers’ impressive pre-season campaign.
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A week out from a first round blockbuster against premiership favourite Gundagai at Anzac Park on April 2, Young as been rocked by the departure highly-rated New Zealand prop Visesio Setefano.
Signed amid much fanfare, Setefano was a product of the powerful Auckland competition and showed his stature by winning the man of the match award playing for the Indigenous All Stars in the Reconciliation Cup this month.
In a sudden turnaround, however, Setefano has abruptly left Young, leaving a sour taste in the Cherrypickers camp.
Woolford described exit of Setefano as “disappointing”.
“The club and the town put a lot of effort in, but it just didn’t pan out,” Woolford said.
“Things haven’t gone our way the last week or so.”
Setefano’s dramatic move came as fellow Kiwi Wesley Tauti also ended his brief stay with Young.
Despite losing the two New Zealand recruits, Woolford is remaining upbeat, particularly in light of Young’s 30-18 victory over Tuggeranong in a trial last Saturday.
“It was really pleasing,” Woolford said.
“They’re (Tuggeranong) a tough team and it was tough game.
“They got to within six points of us, but we got away again.”
Not for the first time, dynamic halfback Raymond Talimalie made a magnificent contribution in the dominant success at Alfred Oval.
Another of Young’s new faces, Talimalie has been a shining light in the off-season, more than living up to his superb resume.
Continuing the form he showed at the West Wyalong Knockout in February, Talimalie was in slashing touch against Tuggeranong, while centre Nayah Freeman also shone.
Counting down to the premiership opener against the Tigers on Sunday week, Woolford said the Cherrypickers had completed their build-up and would have the coming weekend free from football.
