The Young Cherrypickers have locked in four new recruits ahead of the 2015 season but captain-coach Luke Branighan has just announced there may be four more signings on the horizon.
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Branighan made it official on Monday former ‘Picker Kyle Richens, Neil Thorman, Carl Plannicka and Matt Wakefield will be flying the red, white and blue flag this year.
There may also be four more international players heading Young’s way, pending immigration matters.
There are hopes former New Zealand Warriors under 20 prop Visesio Setefano will give the final tick to help bolster the ‘Picker pack, as well as three Fijian players.
The signing of Newcastle Knights prop, Zane Tetevano, Branighan was also hoping to secure has fallen through.
Tetevano will be staying to play in Newcastle.
But for now, all eyes are on the secured new recruits and what they can deliver come April.
The new recruits said Branighan’s position as captain-coach had drawn them to the club.
“I’m looking forward to playing with Luke, there’s rumours of how good he is and he’s highly respected,” 21-year-old Plannicka said.
“I’m looking forward to having a run with him.”
The now former Cowra and Group 10 player was looking for a change and travelling to Young everyday for work made him turn to the ‘Pickers.
“I was stuck in a rut in Group 10... I’m looking forward to something different,” he said.
It’s the same reason Englishman Thorman landed on our shores.
Thorman will be one to watch this season after Branighan described him as being the best British player he’s brought to the club.
“Neil and I played together in England in 2009 and is a very good player,” Branighan said.
“He plays a number of positions but I will play him hooker.”
Thorman - who previously played with Whitehaven in the championship - said he took Branighan up on his offer for the adventure and is already beginning to suss out the level of play in country NSW.
“I was looking at my options in the off season... Luke called me and asked if I had made a decision. It was quite lucky. I wasn’t under contract,” Thorman said.
“I’m looking forward to playing with Luke again, I really do think he is a good player... I’m just really excited to get stuck into the comp.”
Wakefield - who played for Woy Woy last year - wasn’t beating around the bush when he said yesterday that he was looking forward to winning the premiership.
The boy originally from Bronte and who attended high school with Branighan was just as thrilled to be playing alongside his old classmate.
“Honestly I was sick of waking up at 4am everyday for work,” Wakefield said.
“I’m looking forward to meeting new people... I have over 20 years experience playing.”
Branighan said Wakefield was one of the best players running around on the central coast.
“He plays lock forward. [Plannicka] from Cowra played in last year’s Group 10 grand final for Cowra, he’s fit and very aggressive,” Branighan said.
“Richo is back from the coast. He’s been training house down and is primed for a big year.
“The club is still looking for a front rower and outside back.”
Meanwhile, the Young club is all geared up for their ground-breaking league tag carnival on March 7 and 8.
The carnival - which offers more than $2500 in prizes, is open to all league tag players registered with Country Rugby League - will take place at Keith Cullen Oval.
It will follow a round robin format on Saturday before teams are split into pools for a knockout on Sunday.
Teams from Wagga, Albury, Temora, Leeton, Eugowra, Grenfell, Orange and the Bears have already expressed interest in playing.
Registration for the carnival is priced at $30 per player and can be done through Jessica McInerney at jessicamcinerney88@gmail.com.
