With just four games remaining, CWD revisit Group 10 season picks

With four games remaining in the Group 10 Premier League season, it's time to take a look back at the Central Western Daily's pre-season predictions.

Contrary to some other major leagues in the region, this competition only features six clubs, making it somewhat easier to get a read on.

Let's see if we were on the mark back in April.

PREDICTED FINISH: Third

CURRENT POSITION: Third

PREDICTION GRADE: A

MVP: Jayden Brown

The same injury bug that infected Lithgow has made its way to Glen Willow this winter, but that hasn't stopped Mudgee from anchoring itself inside the top three.

Although the Red V slipped up in rounds six and seven - with heavy losses to Hawks and then Pat's - they have recently re-emerged as a serious threat.

The Dragons had as many as nine first graders on the sidelines throughout that aforementioned period, and while losing Jack Littlejohn to a leg injury hurts, Harry Siejka's return has been crucial as he's partnered up with Workies import Pacey Stockton - the duo's fingerprints were all over the round eight win at Panthers.

The impact of Clay Priest must be mentioned as he looks to be one of the hardest players to tackle in the competition, Jayden Brown has also been sensational from the back of the field.

Mudgee was severely underdone in its two trips to Wade Park, so it's hard for this news room to get a read on its potential, but you'd probably put them on the same level as CYMS.

PREDICTED FINISH: Second

CURRENT POSITION: Second

PREDICTION GRADE: A

MVP: Joe Duffy

Got to give ourselves a pat on the back for this one.

After a sluggish campaign in 2019, a revamped Orange CYMS side has entered 2021 with a winning mentality, largely thanks to the leadership of captain-coach Daniel Mortimer.

The former NRL utility has his forward pack rolling with the likes of Jack Buchanan, Ethan Bereyne and Joe Duffy all having standout campaigns.

If you throw speedsters Addison Williams and Lachie Munro into the mix, there's a lot of talent on this roster.

No matter what Mortimer has been asked about his opposition this season, the response has been fairly similar... "we're just focused on us."

It's perhaps that tunnel vision that's allowed the side to keep improving every week as it's gone 5-1 since losing its opening contest to Bathurst Panthers.

There's been a few signature wins along the way, but a pair of derby triumphs against Orange Hawks appear most impressive as Mortimer seems to have the two blues' number so far.

Round three read 42-14, while round seven read 36-22... it's pretty hard to miss the finals in a four-team comp if you're taking care of business like that.

The next three games for CYMS are tough. Panthers, Hawks and Dragons are on the horizon, and if they could win two of those matches, that would probably be considered a successful outcome. Only time will tell.

PREDICTED FINISH: Fourth

CURRENT POSITION: Fourth

PREDICTION GRADE: A

MVP: Ethan McKellar

Willie Heta would admit that inconsistent performances have plagued his side so far, but the positive is the potential.

When Hawks are at their best, it appears as though they can beat anyone.

And even though a few slack performances see two blues sitting fourth with a 3-4 record, there's a lot to like about them.

You've only got to look at their 18-16 loss to Panthers in round nine to decipher what this squad is capable of.

The men in black came to Wade Park to play, and Hawks matched it with the premiers in almost every aspect of the game... except ball control, and goal kicking (Sorry, Toby).

Nathan Potts, Ethan McKellar and Rakai Tuheke have been enormous for this side, and after Saul Houma gets a few more games under his belt, you could honestly make a case for this pack being the best in the league.

But, we won't gas them up too much, because attitude in defence was a huge issue early in the season as they conceded 88 points in rounds three and four.

Since then, Hawks appear to have shored their defence up and now they just need a few more clutch wins to slide into the post-season bracket.

Once they're there, they could be dangerous.

PREDICTED FINISH: Sixth

CURRENT POSITION: Sixth

PREDICTION GRADE: A

MVP: Greg Alderson

It's really hard to criticise this team.

Injuries, COVID complications and flat out bad luck has plagued Workies in 2021, so we're not going to stick the boot in at all.

This season was dubbed as a bit of a rebuilding phase for Lithgow, and that's just how it's panned out.

The effort has been there throughout all the heavy losses, and you can bet this side would have continued to turn up to every contest if it weren't for the forced two-week hiatus due to COVID.

Graeme Osbourne's men intend to return to the paddock as soon as they are allowed, and it would be nice to see them jag a win somehow.

PREDICTED FINISH: Fifth

CURRENT POSITION: Fifth

PREDICTION GRADE: A

MVP: Mitch Squire

This has been a very impressive resurgence from Zac Merritt's men.

Sure, the blue and whites are currently outside finals contention but they have improved tenfold in the last month.

This team started the season 0-4, and didn't win its first match until round six.

Now, it's just one point outside finals contention and has wins over the Dragons and Panthers in the last month... pretty good.

A lot of credit has to be given to captain-coach Zac Merritt, who after every one of those losses spoke about persistence, and attitude.

He knew the wins would come if they kept at it, and they sure as hell have.

The round 10 victory over Panthers was a stunner, and their looming home game against Hawks is going to go a long way to deciding who qualifies for the finals bracket.

The return of Jackson Brien is timely, and Matt Ranse will provide a big spark no matter where he's positioned. Keep Pat's safe.

PREDICTED FINISH: First

CURRENT POSITION: First

PREDICTION GRADE: A

MVP: Keelan Bresac

It probably hasn't been as convincing as Doug Hewitt would like, but the two-time Group 10 champions are sitting at the top of the table.

After an 88-6 thrashing of Lithgow in round seven, pundits could have safely backed this side to navigate through the winter without a loss, but when Mudgee Dragons came to Carrington Park just a week later, that all changed.

Harry Siejka's men might have given the rest of the league some sort of blueprint, and after Hawks went within two points of knocking Panthers off in the next round, St Pat's did just that in round 10.

So, while you can't fault a league-best 6-2 record, there is some reason to believe Panthers are a pinch vulnerable right now.

That claim will be either laughed at or praised after Sunday's marquee meeting at Wade Park as Panthers will do battle with CYMS.

But, let's take a step back and focus on the positives from the men in black this season.

Keelan Bresac joined the club from Lithgow and has been unanimously regarded as not only the best player on his team, but one of the most damaging players in the competition.

Jeremy Gordon has been absent for the last couple of games, but doesn't appear to have lost a step and has been linking with Desi Doolan at a Dane Gagai-Alex Johnston clip.

Outside of the players mentioned, there's a stack of sensational first graders on the side, and you'd be clinically insane to suggest they won't be a force in the finals.

The trick for Panthers will be getting all hands on deck at the right time of the year as the injury toll is looking a little concerning right now.

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