Young will host eighth-placed Tumut at Alfred Oval on Sunday in what could quite possibly be the team’s first win of the season.

Along with having the home ground advantage, Young heads into the weekend off the back of a positive performance against Southcity in Round 3. And with injury-stricken Tumut missing key players, the game could be anyone’s. 

“We know we can take what we’ve learned from the previous rounds and put a little bit more of an all-rounded performance in,” Thorman said.

“At the moment it’s quite a mixed bag the performances coming out of Group Nine, so while [Tumut] went down quite heavily to Southcity in Round 1, they made quite the comeback against Albury on Round 3.”

According to Thorman the main areas of improvement for Young this week included on cutting errors from key roles, as well as putting in a team performance.

“We talked about the little things that can make and break games and we had a talk to the players in the important roles for the team and just making sure that they cut those errors out because usually when numbers six, seven and nine make errors it’s quite influential,” he said.

“It can change a game quite rapidly if we’re not doing the right things.”

Thorman also used the gallant effort of powerhouse prop Aaron Slater as an example of what is expected from the team.

“We talked about how much want he has for his performances, he will pretty much do anything for the player inside and outside of him, even when he is hurting he’ll find another gear or find another way to make that tackle or take that run,” Thorman said.

“It wasn’t about skill, it’s about more want from the players and doing whatever they can to make sure we win that game.”

While Jake Veney continues to carry a knee injury, and 18-year-old Jake Walker a foot injury, Thorman is looking at the inclusion of Reserve Grade player Ross Hewitt to boost the team’s defence.

“[Ross] defends very well and that is something we’re lacking,” he said.

“He’s got a good defensive game and it was something we thought about making him available to come off the bench with.”

Another boost to the ‘Pickers is just around the corner as Young prepares for the arrival of French signings Geoffrey Zava and Lilian Albert in the coming weeks.

Zava - who most recently represented Villeneuve in the in the Elite Championship in France - is expected to arrive by Round 6.

Thorman said the 25-year-old prop - who was highly recommended to the club by a player agent - will bring valuable strength and experience to the Cherrypickers.

”He’s a strong solid runner of the ball and he’s got strong defence,” he said.

“He’s been playing for Villeneuve in the league championship for the last four, five years and he’s been starting for them which is good, so he’ll have that experience of knowing how to lead the team and he’ll be a nice addition with the forwards that we’ve got at the moment.”

Meanwhile the club patiently awaits on an arrival date for 24-year-old Albert - currently playing for AS Carcassonne in Elite 1 Championship in France - who will also be a valuable addition to the team.

“He’s a try scoring centre and can also play second row just because of his size and strength,” Thorman said.

“For a big guy he can move quick and is powerful close to the line with a good fend.”