John Ciappara knows as well as anyone how motivated the Macquarie Raiders will be heading into Saturday's Dubbo derby at Apex Oval.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The hard-working back-rower was a Macquarie junior and also made his Group 11 first grade debut when wearing a blue jersey.
Now he's in the green and white after an off-season switch to Dubbo CYMS.
He's impressed early on at his new club and a win over his former side would help continue what has been a strong start to the 2019 campaign.
"I'm really looking forward to it," Ciappara said.
"As soon as the last game finished I started thinking about the next job and that job's Macquarie.
"It's the old team so I'm keen to have a crack and hopefully we can come away with the win."
RELATED:
Winning is what CYMS has done in the derby in recent years.
The Fishies haven't been beaten by the Raiders since the 2012 grand final, and won last year's two derby clashes by a combined score of 114-10.
Despite that, Ciappara knows it's a game Macquarie is always focused on.
"It's a different type of game," he said.
"That's for both teams. At training the last couple of days everyone gets up for it.
"It's the crowsstown rivalry and everyone steps up and wants to give it their all.
"They (Macquarie) are going to come out and want to win so we've got to weather that storm."
While CYMS is two-from-two to start the new season and the Raiders are yet to win a game, the Fishies aren't taking anything for granted heading into this weekend.
It hasn't been the most free-flowing beginning to 2019 for CYMS, with a tight two-point victory over Wellington in the opening round followed by a come-from-behind win at Narromine last weekend.
The side has also changed plenty from week-to-week, with new captain-coach Jarryn Powyer still searching for the best combinations in the new-look side.
I'm really enjoying that high standard.
- John Ciappara on life at CYMS
"Last week in the sheds it didn't really feel like a win. It was pretty scrappy but the week before we defended bloody well," Ciappara said.
"Last week was not too crash hot."
The attitude of not just settling for the wins and the desire to improve is something which attracted Ciappara to the Fishies in the off-season.
"I'm really enjoying that high standard," the Western Rams under 23s representative said.
"There's no slacking off at training or when playing. Everyone has that same high standard."
The Raiders are expected to be without captain-coach Wes Middleton for the game after he wasn't named for the derby battle.
Craig McLean has been named to play at halfback in his absence.
The action at Apex Oval starts with league tag at 12pm on Saturday. The first grade game is expected to kick-off at 3.30pm.
Do you want more sport from the Dubbo region? Sign up to our newsletters here:
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.
