RUGBY LEAGUE
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WITH a child on the way and the 2014 Group 10 first division title under his belt Orange CYMS gun Luke Morris hung up his boots last year, finishing his career on a high as a premiership winning captain-coach.
Until he decided to come back midway through this year and have a crack at winning back-to-back reserve grade titles that is, without the added pressure of leading the side.
Like many before him Morris’ retirement was fleeting, and leading into Sunday’s decider against minor premiers Bathurst Panthers he said “missed it” too much to not have one more run.
“Our first child was on the way last year, and working six days a week I thought I’d be pretty tied up really,” Morris explained.
“But he’s come along now and to be honest he’s a pretty good baby so I can get out a bit more than what I thought I might be able to.
“And to be honest, I missed it. I missed being around the boys, and that sort of thing. I’m lucky I’ve been able to get back into it.”
VIDEO: Michelle Cook and Nick McGrath preview Sunday's grand finals:
Morris said a discussion with premier league utility Scott Sullivan helped him make up his mind as well.
“I’m only 29, and old Scoot told me you’re a long time retired and he’s about 50, so I took that advice,” Morris laughed.
CYMS go into Sunday’s decider after downing the fast-finishing Oberon Tigers in last weekend’s preliminary final, and before that, suffering a heart-breaking golden point loss to Panthers.
CYMS led for the better part of the major semi-final at Wade Park a fortnight ago, but blew their lead in the final stages before Bathurst halfback Aaron Bell slotted a field goal in extra-time to win the first spot in the decider.
“I really think we should’ve had that game, it was disappointing to get beaten in extra-time but it does give us a bit of extra motivation,” Morris said.
“We really just let our foot off the gas and you can’t do that at this time of year, we know that.
“So it’s a matter of all our guys stepping up and going the distance in this one, but we’ve got a lot of experienced guys who will step up this week anyway, I think we’ll be alright.
“We’re a young side as well, so I guess I might add a bit more experience. But we’re lucky now we can call on a lot of the under 18 team, who are good young guys and have helped out in the past.”
Sunday’s first division grand final kicks off at 12.30pm at Wade Park.
ORANGE CYMS: 1 Wayne Collett, 2 Zac Rue, 3 Tevita Lucas, 4 Scott Piper, 5 Bevan Parker, 6 Luke Coleman, 7 Luke Petrie, 8 Dez Knight, 9 Aaron Willis, 10 Dan Tietzel, 11 Nick Law, 12 Ryan Prevett, 13 Luke Morris.
