Young may have lost its first game since round three but captain-coach Neil Thorman believes Sunday’s loss to Gundagai has reinforced they have what is takes to become a premiership force.
The Cherrypickers led the premiers 6-2 at half-time before struggling to make the most of their chances in the second half.
Thorman believes the 20-6 loss at Keith Cullen Oval will be a big learning experience for the team.
“From the first half there is a lot of build on,” Thorman said. “We had them running scared with at least the lead so we are there or thereabouts.
“Hopefully we are going to meet those boys again and we know what needs to be asked of us.”
With games against Tumut and Junee in the fortnight before finals, Young are now only an outside chance of going around the Diesels and into third place.
Currently three points adrift, the five-eighth is looking to get back to the game plan that has worked so well for the club throughout the season.
“When we had them on their line we weren’t patient enough,” Thorman said.
“We lacked a little bit of organisational stuff and we were panicking.
“We should have just grinded back into the game, try to complete on them and play simple.
“What we have tried to do all year is to just play a simple footy game and it was unfortunate that we didn’t.”
Young shocked Group Nine circles last week when they announced James Woolford would replace Thorman as captain-coach next season.
Without some of the biggest names from 2015, Thorman has improved the ‘Pickers position up the ladder and is now weighing up his options after receiving interest from clubs in and out of Group Nine.
“I don’t know yet, I am going to let the dust settle a little bit and figured out what I want to do,” Thorman said.
“The ‘Pickers have offered me a playing deal, but I am not too sure what I am going to do.
“There are a couple of clubs that have come in, which is nice, but I don’t know.”
Another former Young captain-coach could also be back in the region in 2017.
Luke Branighan, who was at the helm of the ‘Pickers for four years, made the switch to Queanbeyan Blues this season.
The Canberra powerhouses are currently third but the former NRL player could be back in Group Nine next year.
