It's only fitting they'd meet again.
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Dubbo CYMS newly minted under 21s side will tangle with Forbes in an exciting fixture that has echoes of last year's Western Youth League grand final.
The two sides headline the double-header at Apex Oval, with Macquarie also set to take on Woodbridge earlier in the evening.
CYMS coach Paul Yeo says the historic rivalry between the two clubs is only adding to the energy for his young guns.
"They're up and about, they're really keen and looking forward to it, it certainly doesn't hurt that they're playing their old nemesis Forbes, that's a lot of extra incentive there," Yeo said.
Yeo says his side is shaping up nicely ahead of the new competition's debut.
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"It does seem a very strong side, getting them to gel will be the question and you never know how that will play out until you put some defence in front of them and let them at it," Yeo said.
"We'll see what happens on gameday, we're quietly confident that we'll perform well, there's some real ability in our team."
The new competition has been designed as a successor and expansion to last year's Youth League, and will give players a chance to push for first grade representation ahead of the regular Group 11 season.
While many of the current squad haven't played together before, there are a number of big names likely to start for the side, with Captain Tom Stimpson and former junior co-captain Aiden Lake both carrying prior first grade experience.
Other CYMS up and comers, including Joe Yeo, Sullivan Haycock and brothers BRad and Todd Devine could prove crucial.
"Once they've all played together, they'll be a team, but there's always that bit of uncertainty beforehand," Yeo said.
"The indications from training are really good, they're all pretty advanced footballers, for a lot of them the hope is to go to first grade, that'll be the next step, there are some with designs on progressing to Sydney."
"If they can get it together, they'll be extremely hard to beat, and they definitely won't go away without a lot of effort put in."
Getting to headline the opening round at home is also boosting the side's stocks, with Yeo knowing that playing in front of a home crowd can be all the difference sometimes.
"There'll be a crowd there and the boys know that, there'll be all range of ages looking to them, the old boys at CYMS and Macquarie and all the juniors coming to watch the guys they look up to at school," Yeo said.
"That's exciting for them, whatever happens in terms of results, it won't be through lack of effort on-field, they're keen to put in."
Regardless of what happens, Yeo is backing the competition to stick around and stay, impressed by the impact it could potentially have on the league community out west.
"It's a great concept and it's shiny and new too, under 21 hasn't really been done out here, I think it'll keep growing and I think it'll stick around for some time here," Yeo said.
"It's great footy, it's going to give them something to aim for."
Macquarie Raiders will meet Woodbridge at 4.45pm on Saturday at Apex Oval, with CYMS and Forbes following right afterwards at 6.15pm.
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