Young the pick of the bunch for Branighan

Branighan on Monday revealed he had been inundated with offers from other clubs, but had been determined to stay with the Cherrypickers.

“I wanted continue all the hard work that’s been put in off the field,” Branighan said.

“I think the club can appreciate what’s been done … and showed some loyalty.”

Coming only two weeks before Young plays in the Group Nine finals, the retention of Branighan as coach for a fourth straight year is sure to have a positive influence on the team.

Significantly, only three Group Nine clubs are now left to settle their coaching situation for 2015.

Counting down to the end of the season, Cootamundra, Tumut and Tumbarumba remain without a coach for next year.

The Greens, however, have indicated incumbent Aaron Sweeney has first option on the position, and there is speculation the Bulldogs have a coach in waiting.

Speaking to The Daily Advertiser on Monday, Branighan made it clear the opportunity to move on, rather than extend his successful stretch at Young, had been available.

“There was plenty of interest (from other teams),” he said.

For Young, the re-signing of Branighan came only a week after English prop Fran Welsh split with the Cherrypickers.

A boom mid-season recruit, Welsh flew home to England for what Branighan yesterday described as “personal reasons”.

Refusing to go into graphic detail, Branighan said the loss of a player late in the season was “never ideal”, but the return of veteran prop Nick Hall had been a “massive” help in easing the pain.

With Young readying for a scrap with Tumut at Alfred Oval on Saturday, Branighan said only stylish lock Ross Hewitt would be missing from the team.

Branighan will be anxious for Hewitt to be available for the last-round clash with Gundagai at Anzac Park on Sunday week - and for no players to be hurt this week.

“If we can win beat Tumut and Gundagai we’ll finish third,” he said.