Tallon Smith

After a preliminary final appearance in 2025, Orange CYMS are hoping to go one better next season after announcing a host of key signings headlined by former Australian representative Blake Ferguson.

Following three relatively successful seasons at Wellington, Ferguson joins CYMS as a major addition to the club, which has also locked in captain-coach Jack Buchanan for another two seasons at the helm.

Buchanan said that he is excited to play alongside the former Shark, Raider, Rooster and Eel, who from all indications is as determined as ever to win a premiership in 2026.

“Obviously the big name everyone knows is Blake Ferguson, it’s been pretty well documented,” he said.

“He’s going to bring a wealth of knowledge, [and from] the few conversations I’ve had with him he’s really determined, which is a good sign.

“Someone at 36 next year, you could think they’d be winding down, but he’s as motivated as ever, and I think it’s a scary sight for opposing teams, but great for us.”

Meanwhile, the re-signing of Buchanan as the club’s mentor also shapes as an important one.

After moving back to the Central West to live in Cowra five years ago, spending time at both Cowra and Parkes before moving to CYMS, Buchanan has spent the past three seasons at the club, serving as captain-coach for the latter two.

Speaking on his re-appointment to the role, the former Group 11 player of the year said that he is excited to lead CYMS again in 2026 and 2027 as the first grade side continues to build towards a maiden PMP title.

“When we first moved back, Cowra folded from the competition, so I played one season there and then after that I played over at CYMS,” Buchanan said.

“This will be my fourth year at CYMS in the five or six years I’ve been back here, so it feels like home.

“I feel like it was the right thing to do to sign for two more years, and I think we’re trending in the right direction, as the whole competition is to be honest, it’s a great competition, it’s becoming really strong.

“Just look at the Grand Final last year with Forbes and Dubbo, that’s probably one of the better games of country footy you’ll look at.”

In addition to Buchanan and Ferguson, the club has also re-signed a number of its key first graders including the ‘Bash Brothers’ James Donato and Mitch Collins, as well as Dylan Kelly.

Buchanan said that retaining the local core of the first grade team is critical to the success of the club in the highly competitive Western Premiership.

“It’s really good that we’ve got a pretty strong contingent of local guys there at the moment,” he said.

“We have noticed that we’ve lost quite a few over the past two or three years. 

“Over the last two years 20 or 30 blokes have moved on, whether it be away for university, work or just a change of lifestyle.

“To get a strong core of those guys, like Jimmy Donato and Mitch Collins [is great].

“There’s another couple of guys like Oli Maunder, who’s a young kid who played for us last year on the wing, he’s a great guy to watch as well, he’s full of heart.

“He’s probably only 70 or 80 kilos, but he plays like he’s 120.”

The draw for the 2026 Peter McDonald Premiership competition is expected to be released in the coming weeks.

Cover Photo: Rodders Photos