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Source:http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=...next-to-brother-too-good-to-miss/1928758.aspx
Opportunity to play next to brother too good to miss
BY NICK MCGRATH
01 Sep, 2010 08:05 AM
HE’S the highest-profile footballer in Country Rugby League.
And, along with a host of new talent, he has brought Orange CYMS their first minor premiership in 22 years and the city it’s first home grand final since 1997.
But for former NRL star Mick Sullivan, playing for CYMS this season - and again in 2011 - is about much more than winning premierships.
“One of the reasons I wanted to come back to the country was to play with Scoot (older brother Scott Sullivan),” Sullivan said.
“He coached me up on the North Coast when I was younger and to come back and be able to return the favour was an opportunity that was too good to miss.
“I’ve always wanted to come back to the country but that was the major drawcard.”
Sullivan, who played 74 NRL games for both Cronulla and Canterbury after debuting for the Northern Eagles, came to CYMS after a horror 2009 campaign saw the green and gold miss the finals, only winning two games along the way.
Under Sullivan they’ve won 10 games and if they play the way they did in smashing Mudgee 52-18 in the Group 10 major semi-final, win number 11 will be the sweetest.
“I’ve played in grand finals before and I played in a semi-final over in England when I was with Warrington. You play comp games throughout the year and there isn’t too much hype and then you hit the grand final and everyone gets into it a bit,” he said.
“It’s good to be a part of but it’s hard to try and keep a lid on things, too. I know (prop) Benny McKenna gets a bit nervous and a few of the other guys, too. We’ll have to just stay focused.”
Sullivan last won a grand final for his junior club the Wingham Tigers on Group 3’s big day in 1997.
In that game he played against Forster - and his brother Scott.
“I broke his (Scott’s) arm in that game. I think I was only 17 at the time,” Mick said.
“He came across and coached me the year after. I suppose I was lucky enough to win that year in the first grade competition with my junior club Wingham. It’s also one of the reasons I came back to the country. Like I said before, to be able to coach my brother 13 years after he coached me is great.”
Sullivan was hopeful CYMS would be able to emulate the feat of his Wingham side back in 1997.
He said winning a grand final with your junior club was something you’ll never forget.
“Everyone is pretty keen. We’ve only got two more runs before we’re out there on the field and I know the boys can’t wait to get out there,” he said.
ORANGE CYMS’ GRAND
FINAL TEAM V MUDGEE
1. Kurt BEAHAN
2. Trent GREEN
3. Scott PIPER
4. Ben McALPINE
5. Tim BASSMANN
6. Matt WILLIAMSON
7. Mick SULLIVAN (c-c)
8. Ben McKENNA
9. Scott SULLIVAN
10. Des KNIGHT
11. Terawhiti COOPER
12. Garrett FIELD
13. Ben GOSPER
14. Semisi TORA
15. Josh NIXON
16. Adam GIBSON
17. Bryce JONES
Opportunity to play next to brother too good to miss
BY NICK MCGRATH
01 Sep, 2010 08:05 AM
HE’S the highest-profile footballer in Country Rugby League.
And, along with a host of new talent, he has brought Orange CYMS their first minor premiership in 22 years and the city it’s first home grand final since 1997.
But for former NRL star Mick Sullivan, playing for CYMS this season - and again in 2011 - is about much more than winning premierships.
“One of the reasons I wanted to come back to the country was to play with Scoot (older brother Scott Sullivan),” Sullivan said.
“He coached me up on the North Coast when I was younger and to come back and be able to return the favour was an opportunity that was too good to miss.
“I’ve always wanted to come back to the country but that was the major drawcard.”
Sullivan, who played 74 NRL games for both Cronulla and Canterbury after debuting for the Northern Eagles, came to CYMS after a horror 2009 campaign saw the green and gold miss the finals, only winning two games along the way.
Under Sullivan they’ve won 10 games and if they play the way they did in smashing Mudgee 52-18 in the Group 10 major semi-final, win number 11 will be the sweetest.
“I’ve played in grand finals before and I played in a semi-final over in England when I was with Warrington. You play comp games throughout the year and there isn’t too much hype and then you hit the grand final and everyone gets into it a bit,” he said.
“It’s good to be a part of but it’s hard to try and keep a lid on things, too. I know (prop) Benny McKenna gets a bit nervous and a few of the other guys, too. We’ll have to just stay focused.”
Sullivan last won a grand final for his junior club the Wingham Tigers on Group 3’s big day in 1997.
In that game he played against Forster - and his brother Scott.
“I broke his (Scott’s) arm in that game. I think I was only 17 at the time,” Mick said.
“He came across and coached me the year after. I suppose I was lucky enough to win that year in the first grade competition with my junior club Wingham. It’s also one of the reasons I came back to the country. Like I said before, to be able to coach my brother 13 years after he coached me is great.”
Sullivan was hopeful CYMS would be able to emulate the feat of his Wingham side back in 1997.
He said winning a grand final with your junior club was something you’ll never forget.
“Everyone is pretty keen. We’ve only got two more runs before we’re out there on the field and I know the boys can’t wait to get out there,” he said.
ORANGE CYMS’ GRAND
FINAL TEAM V MUDGEE
1. Kurt BEAHAN
2. Trent GREEN
3. Scott PIPER
4. Ben McALPINE
5. Tim BASSMANN
6. Matt WILLIAMSON
7. Mick SULLIVAN (c-c)
8. Ben McKENNA
9. Scott SULLIVAN
10. Des KNIGHT
11. Terawhiti COOPER
12. Garrett FIELD
13. Ben GOSPER
14. Semisi TORA
15. Josh NIXON
16. Adam GIBSON
17. Bryce JONES