Tom Yeo has played plenty of footy in his career but he's never seen a side like the current Dubbo CYMS outfit.
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Having barely played a game after leading the Dunedoo Swans to a drought-breaking Castlereagh League premiership win in 2014, Yeo has made a return to the Fishies and committed for season 2019.
The side which runs out in round one of the 2019 Group 11 season on Saturday will be much different to the one which played last season, with a number of new players joining to work under new captain-coach Jarryn Powyer.
"It's probably the best football team I've been a part of," Yeo said.
"A lot of them have been together for a long time and I'm going to be the oldest around the side apart from 'Jenko' (Luke Jenkins).
"They're young but they're strong leaders. There's a lot of talent and they work hard and have a great attitude.
"You can't just jump in and expect respect. You've got to earn it from the players and that's a good thing."
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Yeo has caught the eye of Powyer during pre-season and after featuring at halfback during CYMS' Challenge Cup campaign in pre-season he will again wear the number seven in Saturday's season opener against Wellington at Caltex Park.
Yeo is set to partner fellow newcomer Cameron Dennis in the halves in what is a side missing a number of regulars.
Alex Bonham is the most high-profile of the players who won't feature in first grade and while he is likely to return to the halves sooner rather than later, Yeo wants to make the most of his chance.
"If you're going to play you want to play at the highest level so I'm hoping to just do a job," he said.
"I'm the outsider coming in and there's guys who have been doing a job for a long time and I'm just happy to play and do the role Jarryn wants.
"Hopefully as the season goes on I can get more games under my belt and get more comfortable."
Committing to a job full-time in Dubbo led to Yeo focusing on rugby league again and he added he's already loving being around a club community again.
He'll be tasked with being the chief playmaker on Saturday against a Wellington side which is primed for a premiership tilt after a strong recruitment drive in the off-season.
"It's going to be tough. It's the first hit-out so I'm not sure how much you can take out of it even though we have played trials," Yeo said.
"They (Wellington) will be really strong and have got some good new recruits so it will be a good test for us.
"It's a bit of a changing of the guard at CYMS and it's a bit different for everyone but it's a good test and it will let us know where we're at."
Powyer will partner Ben Marlin in the front-row on Saturday with Billy Sing, Alex Ronayne, and Wade Kavanagh in the back-row.
CYMS regulars Brad Pickering and Jyie Chapman will again line up at fullback and centre respectively again.
Wellington will be without veteran recruit and former Parkes great Dennis Moran for the round one game.
The Cowboys will still feature a number of new faces, with Tristan Lumley named at centre, Mason Williams at five-eighth, and former NRL star Travis Waddell set to start from lock.
Saturday's opening round first grade match is scheduled to kick-off at 3.30pm at Caltex Park.
- CYMS: 1 Brad Pickering,2 Nick Karydis, 3 Jyie Chapman, 4 Corey Cox, 5 Corey Drew, 6 Cameron Dennis, 7 Tom Yeo, 8 Jarryn Powyer (c/c), 9 Hamish Astill, 10 Ben Marlin, 11 Alex Ronayne, 12, Billy Sing, 13 Wade Kavanagh, 14 Matt Toole, 15 John Ciappara, 16 Jayden Merritt, 17 Jordan Reynold
- COWBOYS: 1 Brock Naden, 2 CJ Ralph, 3 Tristan Lumley, 4 Wade Peachey, 5 Aidan Ryan (c/c), 6 Mason Williams, 7 Lewis Stanley, 8 Mac Dutfield, 9 Darrel Kemp, 10 Dave Dryden, 11 Shannon Ireland, 12 Jack Kempston, 13 Travis Waddell, 14 Wallace Bruce, 15 Logan Conn
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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.
