Viv Paasi is channelling his inner Jon Snow.
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Much like the warden of the north warned us all of winter's imminent arrival, the Orange City mentor is adamant victory is coming for his men following the Lions' 22-all draw with defending Blowes Clothing Cup premiers Orange Emus on Saturday.
"We've had to come a long way from last year to where we are now. I think the last time we played a derby it was 71-7," Paasi said, this year his first season coaching the Lions.
Orange City are sixth on the ladder with four losses and that derby draw from the opening five rounds of the 2019 season.
"I spoke to the guys and said it gives us a good understanding of what's needed week-in, week-out.
"This was probably the toughest contest we've had for a complete 80 minutes," he added.
"Hopefully on the back of this they can believe, in themselves and as a team. We've got to keep working away.
"We're building back to a strong place where the foundation is there and we can move forward. (Wins) will come."
The last win Orange City enjoyed was on April 21 last year, a 32-27 victory over Dubbo Roos in round three of the 2018 season.
On Saturday, Paasi's side led Emus 22-17 with five minutes remaining but the premiers hit back late with a Harry Cummins try to level the scores.
Both teams had kicks at goal to win it - Matt Findlay's conversion hit the upright while Keegan Harding's last-ditch penalty goal was miss-cued off the boot - but in the end the points were shared.
It's a result Paasi believes may serve as a springboard for the Orange clubs heading into the second round, with Emus battling without a win for the last three weeks now.
"It's probably what both sides needed to kick each other into gear," he said.
"Hopefully for both sides we can walk away and say 'that's what we needed to happen in order for us to kick into gear in the second round'."
He added the round five derby was the most consistent Orange City has been and if they can replicate that effort over the course of the second round, starting with a trip to Cowra, then the Lions will continue to meet the standards they set at the start of the year.
"It was the best we've played all year and hoping to build on the back of that," he said.
"The playing group set the standards at the start of the year and they're aligning to what they said they'd do.
"That's why the wins don't mean a lot at the moment. It's more about off-field stuff for us."
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