It was only a couple of months ago when Lee Price was preparing for what he expected to be another season of reserve grade with Dubbo CYMS.
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But, proving that a lot can happen in a short amount of time, instead he will be running out at Cowra on Saturday to start at prop in the Western Rams’ Country Championship opener against Monaro.
Price, one of the most hard-working and also most popular members of the Fishies, has transformed himself in the space of a few short years.
The fit and hard-running Price is barely recognisable from the much heavier frame which ran around Dubbo during his junior footy days but the hard work has been worth it.
“It’s unreal. I never really expected this,” he said.
“Eight weeks ago before the (Group 11) trials I thought I would just be playing reggies again but had a couple of good trials and got into the Group 11 side and it went from there.”
I never thought I’d make any kind of Western division side.
- Lee Price
Price gave Western coach Darren Jackson no choice but choose him after putting in a man of the match display during Group 11’s 26-24 win over Group 10 last month.
He was then chosen by Tim Ryan to start in a Group 11 first grade match for the first time and did his job up front again as CYMS overpowered Westside on the way to an emphatic 102-0 win.
“I never thought I’d make any kind of Western division side,” he said.
“But I worked hard during the off-season.
“I’ve put in the hard yard for three or four years now and I’ve really worked on my fitness and being healthy and it’s all playing off.
“I’m playing good footy, am playing first grade for CYMS and that was what I’ve always wanted to do.”
In terms of this weekend, Price is part of a strong Dubbo CYMS contingent in the Rams side.
He will be joined by Lincoln Kavanagh in the front row while Wade Kavanagh will start at hooker and Alex Bonham will direct proceedings from five-eighth alongside Parkes Spacemen halfback Chad Porter.
In what he feels is the hardest round one match-up possible, Price stated the performance of the props will go a long way to deciding the match.
“They (Monaro) will be big and a classy outfit and they’ll be quick around the ruck,” he said.
“Darren Jackson has talked about that a lot and we’ve been working hard on our defence and ruck speed.
“It’s going to be up to the forwards to set a platform. We’ve got a very balanced side.
“We’ve got very good backs, I believe our halves are unreal and the forwards will hopefully do a job.
“We’re good enough to match them up front and it’s up to myself and Lincoln to set a platform and do a job.”
Lochie Hobby will also add some real power off the bench. The Blayney big man spent part of the off-season training with the Wests Tigers before returning to the Bears while Forbes’ Ben Maguire will be another key figure for the side in the second row given his experience playing for Western last season.
Kick-off is 12pm Saturday at Cowra’s Sid Kallas Oval.
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
