CYMS over the last seasons sat at the bottom of the RSL-Whitney Cup ladder waiting for their young playing group to come into their own. They have emerged as one of the best teams in the competition of the last three seasons.

The defending premiers were awarded last year's title as no finals were played due to COVID but O'Donnell feels that was no fluke.

"It's what we play for isn't it, it would mean a lot to me I've been playing since 2005 and I've only been in three semi's appearances," he said.

"To even make the grand final I'm pretty excited about, it proves that last year how it ended was meant to be and it proves that we deserve to be there.

"Just being there is good but I'd love to win, anyone that tells you they didn't care about winning would be lying."

Should CYMS win on Saturday it will be their first RSL-Whitney Cup grand final win since the 2000/01 season.

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Ahead of the Cougars is the minor premier RSL Colts who are stacked with talent from top to bottom including Mitch Bower, Brad Cox, Marty Jeffrey and Ben Taylor and although he is wary of that talent, the CYMS veteran O'Donnell knows his side can take home the title.

"We've gotta be clinical, any chance at all against a team like Colts has to be taken so it will be a good test," he said.

"Yes, they've only lost one game this season I think, they are not unbeatable but they are a very strong side, we are all gambling men and we all love to back an underdog so my money is on us."

CYMS are widely known as one of the stronger bowling line-ups in the competition with O'Donnell, Bailey Edmunds, Ben Knaggs and Lachlan Strachan while 17-year-old off-spinner Paddy Nelson has emerged as a wicket-taker this season.

"We've definitely put some good performances together with our bowling and I think that has been one of our strength's but we have to be on point from the first ball and it will be a tough ask and challenge but I'm ready for it," O'Donnell said.

While it will be the first Whitney Cup grand final for the majority of the team, O'Donnell feels the nerves show the passion his side carries going into the match.

"They are all pretty keen, I know I'm pretty nervous being my first and only grand final since I've been with the club and as we move closer to the game I'm getting more and more nervous but that just shows how passionate we are."

CYMS made the grand final after dismantling Newtown last weekend by nine wickets with some tight bowling before the top order launched the Tigers attack to all corners of No 1 Oval chasing 147 in 22 overs.

"We have a good, young side and the nerves will be high but they were high last weekend and if we can put together another performance like that I think we can go all the way."

Play will begin at 1pm at No 1 Oval.

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