The wind, a ghost of the late afternoon, carried the scent of freshly cut grass and the lingering tang of victory across Alfred Oval. The scoreboard was a quiet, glowing testament to the day’s work: Young Cherrypickers (34) def Junee (18). But for Young Cherrypickers President Andrew Smith and Captain-Coach Tom Giles, the final score was just a punctuation mark in a much longer, more complex sentence. They stood on the sidelines, the murmur of the dispersing crowd a backdrop to their shared assessment of the game. Junee, they both agreed, was a good side. Young and tough, with a forward pack that had been a thorn in the side of many a team this season.
Andrew recalled the early moments of the game when the Cherrypickers had started strong before their ill-discipline threatened to undo their good work. “We started to force a few offloads and dropped the ball,” he mused, a hint of frustration in his voice. “Gave away some silly penalties, which put pressure on ourselves.”
That pressure had culminated in a brutal period of defence, six consecutive sets of six on their line. It was a moment that could have broken them, but it didn’t. They held firm, a wall of maroon and white, and for Andrew, that defensive stand was “probably the biggest play of the day.”
For Tom Giles, the penalty count told a similar story. “They might have won the penalty count 14 to 4,” he said, a wry smile on his face. He knew his team tended to push the boundaries, but their defence, a steely resolve honed through a tough season, had been their saving grace. “They had seven straight sets there in the second half on our try line and didn’t score,” he recounted with a mix of pride and relief.
The individual performances were a bright spot in the analysis. Andrew was quick to praise Jake Walker, the tireless front-rower who had a game for the ages. “Jake was outstanding, one of the best games I’ve seen him play,” he declared. He wasn’t the only one who impressed. Isaac Matalavea-Booth, despite a niggling injury that forced him from the field, had made a significant impact in his time on the field. The president hoped he would be back for the finals.
Tom, too, singled out his teammates. He agreed with Andrew that Jake Walker was exceptional, but he also highlighted the impressive play of full-back CJ Hill. The coaches and club presidents have a special bond with their players, a mix of mentor, manager, and friend. They see the sweat and sacrifice, the injuries and the triumphs. They know what it takes to get to this point.
The conversation quickly shifted to the upcoming match against the Temora Dragons. This was no ordinary game. It was a clash of rivals, a battle for third place and a coveted second bite at the finals. The winner would get to host the first semi-final, a massive advantage, and potentially avoid an early elimination.
“Temora is a bit like a pest; they just don’t go away,” Andrew said, a grudging respect in his tone. He knew the Dragons would bring their A-game, regardless of their recent form. They always seemed to “grow an extra leg” against Young, transforming into a different team entirely. Tom echoed this sentiment with a vivid image. “They are not going to be the team that lost to Junee 26-12,” he stated with absolute certainty. “They are going to be completing at 90%.” He knew that Temora, a team that had been “playing fairly scrappy” lately, would suddenly be sharp, disciplined, and relentless. It was a rivalry that transcended the season’s standings. “You just have to match it,” he concluded.
This game was about more than just a win or a loss; it was about momentum. The Cherrypickers had found their rhythm, winning five or six games in a row after a mid-season slump that had some “writing us off,” as Tom put it. Now, with key players like Jake Hogan, Kai Parker, and Dev Makoare-Boyce set to return, the team was nearing full strength at the perfect time. The thought of the upcoming finals hung in the air, a tantalising promise. If they could beat Temora, they would secure third place and a match against the formidable Gundagai at Gundagai. A victory there would put them just one win away from the grand final, a direct path that both Andrew and Tom agreed was the ideal scenario. “The fewer semi-final games we play, the better,” Andrew said, the pragmatism of a club president shining through.
As they looked around the now-empty oval, they saw more than just a field. They saw a stage set for a series of unforgettable moments. Saturday’s game against Temora was a huge day for the club, with a Charity Day, Reunion Day, and several player milestones. Jesse Corcoran was playing his 200th game, Boro his 100th. And then there was Kyle (Richo) Richens. “Richo is the first one,” Tom said. He was playing his farewell game, a veteran whose body had finally had enough after a lifetime of commitment to the club. “He’s just hanging on for one last game for Temora at home.” It was a gesture of deep loyalty, a true clubman giving everything he had left for one last time.
The story of the Cherrypickers was more than just statistics and scores. It was a tale of resilience, of a team that had weathered a storm of injuries and losses and emerged stronger on the other side. It was a testament to the character of men like Jake Walker and CJ Hill, and a nod to the enduring rivalry with a team that al-ways “grows an extra leg” against them. It was about community, a small country town united by a love of the game and the heroes who played it.
– Tully Potts
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