LAST year Young was thumped by more than 100 points at Murrayfield in their only encounter with the Steamers.
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It wasn’t a complete shock — the Yabbies didn’t a win game all winter and had close to 900 points scored against them.
But that loss more than any other was an “embarrassment” to the proud club and the catalyst to its re-birth, recruiting new players and a commitment to being competitive this year.
Last week was a sign of the changing times with Young beating CSU at their own game, just a round after the Reddies had beaten the Steamers at Murrayfield.
Today, the blue and golds travel to Young for an encounter they would have expected to win easily when the draw was released.
Young coach James Shannon said the loss last year had turned the club around.
“We were having a tough year and the road-trip to Albury was an embarrassment,” he said.
“But as a result of that game we decided to restructure, we wanted to be a competitive force again.
“In terms of players there are probably five from out of the area that have come to the club this year, while we have a five-eight who is just 18 and making big a difference.
“But we are not getting ahead of ourselves — our expectations will be very different to a side who is the defending premier.”
Shannon said Young was able to beat CSU at their own game.
“We had a good platform at the scrum and ruck and that allowed our backs to do their thing,” he said.