Luke Jenkins has been running around Group 11 for longer than some current players have been alive but the CYMS stalwart still finds it “bloody hard” being on the sidelines.
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Jenkins has officially been ruled out for the season after recently undergoing surgery on a torn bicep suffered back in the round five derby clash with Westside.
After recuperating from the surgery, the Fishies skipper is starting to get back around the side but hasn’t found it easy.
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“I haven’t been to training or anything like that but I’ll start to get back now and poke around,” he said.
“But it’s bloody hard being there and doing nothing.”
There’s few people in the competition who show as much commitment as Jenkins and the hooker, now aged 37, admits he’s been lucky during his stellar bush footy career.
“I’ve been pretty lucky and only ever missed a couple of weeks with little things but at the same time a torn bicep doesn’t happen that often so I’m lucky and unlucky,” he said.
“It was a bit of bad luck and that’s basically it for the season. I can start again next year.”
It’s bloody hard being there and doing nothing.
- Luke Jenkins on CYMS training
Jenkins remains one of the best players in the competition and a legend of Group 11 but, on results alone, his absence has barely been felt at CYMS.
Hamish Astill has stepped up to take the number nine jersey on full-time and he was one of his side’s best in last week’s win at Nyngan, scoring a double in the 36-26 victory.
“He’s got all the attributes to be a good player,” Jenkins said of the young rake.
“He’s strong and fast but just needs a bit of confidence sometimes.
“In his first game or two he wasn’t confident enough to try things but he’s starting to take control.
“It’s the best thing for him, me being out, and you’ll start to see improvement and a really good player.”
Jenkins will always be around to pass on tips and advice but he added Astill will “handle it” without a worry and the youngster has proved that already.
This weekend CYMS travels to Narromine for a clash between the top side in Group 11 and the one at the bottom.
“It’s not always the strongest competition in the bush so the most important thing for us it to not gauge how good we’re going by the scoreboard,” Jenkins said, Narromine having failed to win a game yet this season.
“You can win well without playing well so we’ve got to keep on improving.
“Everyone is gunning for us but as (coach) Timmy (Ryan) always says, you just worry about yourselves.”
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.
