Josh McCrone's arrival helps Young fire up

Almost 15 years after going down to Young in a Weissel Cup grand final, the Temora product helped guide the Cherrypickers to a 20-0 win over Kangaroos on an Alfred Oval surface that resembled more of a mud bath than a football field on Saturday.

With periods of hail and then sunshine the freezing conditions weren't for the faint of heart, however McCrone was just pleased to be back playing footy and helping his new team to victory.

"It is a leveller the weather being like that so I think we left a few opportunities out there, and they did too but we were just happy enough to get the win," McCrone said.

Young struggled for direction, and a kicking game, in their loss to Brothers but despite his limited preparation they were two important things the 33-year-old brought to the side.

McCrone's combination with Tom Jenkins on their right edge already shows plenty of promise as they prepare for another important clash with Southcity.

McCrone and his young family made the big trip back to the Riverina via Broken Hill after finishing their hotel quarantine in Adelaide after Toronto withdrew from the English Super League.

After playing 161 NRL games with Canberra and St George Illawarra, before a three-year stint with the Wolfpack, McCrone is pleased with how welcoming Young has been.

"There seems to be a really good team feel," he said.

"Most teams have it so it's a fairly cliche thing to say, but the fact we've got seven or eight travellers everyone still seems pretty tight in a short competition and I've only just come in and felt really welcome since I've got here on Thursday.

"That will be our strength."

McCrone came off with eight minutes to go after tightness in the groin but considering the horrible conditions in his first game since February, coach Nick Hall wanted to be cautious.

"There were tight legs and people cramping up on both sides due to the conditions," Hall said. "Josh hasn't played in a long time and has been in planes and cars and was just a bit tight."

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