Orange City at Endeavour Oval – this is a game Mitch Evers has been waiting more than half a decade for.
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Since Saturday, August 27, 2011 to be precise.
That day was the last time Evers pulled on an Emus jersey before moving to Germany, it happened to be against the Lions and it happened to be at the Woodward Street ground too.
It wasn’t a happy day for the greens though, they were punted from the 2011 Blowes Clothing Cup title race that afternoon in heart-breaking fashion.
Hosting the minor semi-final, Evers looked to have given Emus the narrowest of wins with a 79th minute penalty goal that gave his side a 25-20 lead.
But Orange City regathered from the kick-off, marching 40 metres and scoring under the posts. The try was duly converted by Dan Cullinane, resigning Emus to another off-season wondering ‘what if’.
“That one hurt, it really did,” Evers said.
“I remember it pretty well, it played on my mind for a while afterward too. I’ve actually spoken about that game with my dad recently.
“I really thought we had a premiership side that year but it wasn’t to be and I never got to have another crack at them until this year.
“I came off the bench for a few minutes earlier this season, but I’m not counting that one. I’m looking forward to hopefully getting one back on them this weekend.”
While he hasn’t forced his way back into Emus’ first XV full-time, Evers has spent plenty of time on the paddock in the top grade since returning.
Unavailability forced a backline shuffle last weekend, Evers slotted into the No.10 jersey, promptly scoring a hat-trick in Emus’ 79-0 win over Mudgee.
With regular pivot AJ Sykes away, he gets another chance on Saturday.
“I’ve absolutely loved being back here at Emus,” Evers said.
“I’ve loved playing in second grade and I’ve really enjoyed the time I’ve been able to get in first grade as well, there’s a great bunch of guys across the entire club.”
Evers said his side would be foolish to read too much into Orange City’s inconsistency this year, trotting out a couple of tried and true local derby cliches in the process.
“It’s so cliche, but both sides lift in local derbies. They always do,” he laughed.
“Here’s another cliche for you, we’re not going to be worrying much about Orange City. The focus is all on us and hopefully from that the result takes care of itself.”
Kick-off is 3.15pm at Endeavour Oval.
- ORANGE EMUS: 1 Matt Findlay, 2 Tom Goolagong, 3 Nas Havealeta, 4 Nick Hughes-Clapp, 5 Sam McLean, 6 Jack Marchinton, 7 Andrew Selwood, 8 Rob Thorburn, 9 Sam Green, 10 Mitch Evers, 11 Tom Green, 12 Lachie Harris, 13 Nigel Staniforth ©, 14 Carter Hirini, 15 Levi Russell