FIFTEEN minutes - that’s it.
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That’s all Scott Sullivan lasted in the 2010 Group 10 grand final, one Orange CYMS went on to win over Mudgee at Wade Park, before he came from the field with a busted shoulder.
And it hurt.
Not the shoulder, no.
It was not being out there when all the hard work paid off, when CYMS won the club’s first top grade premiership in 22 years, that’s what hurt the most.
“And I was really happy for the club that year,” Sullivan said.
“But it was a hollow feeling for me. Even though I played all season, had a reasonable year, it’s not the same.
“The only game that really matters is the last game of the year and I wasn’t out there for that. It’d be a great way to go out in a grand final and stay healthy all game.”
Sullivan has made a premier league return to marvel in 2015.
On the other side of 40, Sullivan was coaxed out of semi-retirement by brother Mick and asked to play a role for the CYMS’ premier league side off the bench - those last three words music to Scott’s ears.
“I said ‘when the tackles are a bit softer I’d be right to come on’,” he laughed.
“It’s worked out well, the body has held up well, just, so I should be able to squeeze one more game out this year.
“I’m pretty stoked with how it’s turned out.
“I’d only had a few games in the last few seasons in reggies and just so happens I was lucky enough to win a couple of reserve grade grand finals, one back over on the coast with one of my mates and then one with CYMS last year.
“But then Mick said in the off season, get a bit fitter and run on as a fresh reserve in first grade.
“I don’t have much speed or agility now, but it’s easy to get the body in front of blokes and tackle them.
“It’s an easy enough job to do.”
Playing second-row or lock when he is injected into the play, Scott says the key to CYMS claiming victory in, as he puts it, the only game that counts all year, is defence.
“We keep saying we haven’t hit our straps, but our defence has been outstanding,” he added.
“We’ve had blokes get hurt, and it doesn’t matter who comes in they get the job done.
“We’re giving away size, but still outmuscling teams when it matters, which has been, from an attitude point-of-view, pretty pleasing.”
And is this it?
Will Sunday’s game against Lithgow be the last we see the club’s 2009 captain-coach running around in?
“Definitely, this is it,” he smiled.
“I might have the odd cameo game here and there, but no more footy for me. I’ve got kids playing sport now.”
Sunday’s premier league grand final kicks off at 2.30pm at Wade Park.