Luke Jenkins wasn't meant to play first grade on Saturday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
In fact, he wasn't even meant to be playing reserve grade.
But in the latest showing of genuine toughness and grit the likes of which he's become synonymous with, the Dubbo CYMS veteran featured in both matches.
Not only that, he delivered trademark performances of poise and guile in both, as well.
With elbow injuries giving him grief early in the year and a number of younger players going to a new level at the club, Jenkins opted to hang the boots up.
But midway through the year he linked up with a number of mates in reserve grade, and quickly established himself as a major part of the team.
He played a key role in the Fishies' major semi-final win over Nyngan on Saturday, and then found out he'd be backing up after first grade hooker Cameron Dennis was ruled out with illness.
"It was a bit of bad luck for Cam Dennis, he's been going good this year but he was unwell so I just filled in and it was good. I had a ball," Jenkins said after the thrilling 28-26 win over Wellington.
"Everything has been the same for awhile now and hooker is pretty easy. All you've got to do it pass the ball so it wasn't too much."
I came back with about five weeks to go and here we are.
- Luke Jenkins
Jenkins may have downplayed his role, but the impact he made in both games was immense.
His fingerprints were all over CYMS' two tries in the gutsy 12-10 reserve grade win over Nyngan, while he put Ben Marlin over for a key first half try after starting the main game in the number nine.
"It was super tough today," he said of the Cowboys clash.
"That was one of the hardest games I've been involved in lately, they threw a lot at us but we had to stick strong."
RELATED:
The fact Jenkins had only played four Group 11 games before the weekend made his efforts all the more impressive.
"At the start of the year my elbows were playing up and we had young Hamish Astill who was going enormous and he would have made the side anyway so I thought I'd give it up," Jenkins said.
"But then a couple of mates like Josh Large and a few others were playing reggies so I came back with about five weeks to go and here we are."
The experience and nous Jenkins provided in a game the magnitude of Saturday's semi-final proved vital, and that should come as no surprise given he's played in 14 Group 11 grand finals since making the switch from Narromine to CYMS in 2001.
A 15th decider in green and white is now assured, either in reserve grade or the top grade, but he said much of the credit for his performance on Saturday had to go to Fishies captain-coach Jarryn Powyer.
"It's pretty easy to listen to 'Jazz' because he's a leader out there and he was enormous today [Saturday]," Jenkins said.
"It was a real captain's game and when you've got someone who leads like that, when he talks it's hard to let him down."
The race for the first grade crown is now a three-way race between CYMS, Wellington, and Nyngan, the sides considered the top three by most all year.
Jenkins may not have featured much in the top grade this season, but he still knows what his side is capable of.
"We give ourselves every chance of winning because our effort and energy is great," Jenkins said.
"You could make a case Wellington was unlucky today [Saturday] and they've been great, the same with Nyngan.
"There's nothing between us and I think if you played everyone three times you'd get a different winner. She's pretty tight."