It took some negotiating and compromise but Dubbo Macquarie’s clash with the Parkes Spacemen has been rescheduled and will go ahead this Sunday.
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The match was originally meant to be played last Sunday but the rain leading up to the match left Parkes’ Pioneer Oval in a state unfit for play.
Group 11 then left the decision of a rematch up to the club's and both agreed on Tuesday night this Sunday was the only time to play it, with the date originally meant to be a general bye for all sides.
Macquarie president Mark Meredith said all the indications he got was that Group 11 wanted the match to go ahead and he was left pleased with the outcome, as his side is chasing a top three spot.
“I spoke to (first grade coach) Steve McLellan and (reserve grade coach) Adam McDermott and they were happy to play it and we came to a compromise with Parkes,” he said.
“There’s a few unavailable from both sides so that’s why I put forward Saturday but we’d both be missing a few juniors with rep footy.
“But we would rather play the games than not play them.”
All four grades will be played on Sunday.
There is plenty to play for in first grade with Parkes sitting fourth and Macquarie fifth.
Macquarie are two points behind the Spacemen, who are equal on points with the Nyngan Tigers, who will also be playing a catch-up match against CYMS this weekend.
Despite missing out on playing last week and the Raiders players being left in limbo for a couple of days, Meredith said he had no doubts his side will be up for the clash.
A number of players, including Mathew Walker and Jeremy Smith, are in doubt for the clash but the side will be confirmed following training later in the week.
“As long as it stays dry and we can train,” he said.
“We trained up at DCL Park last night (Tuesday) and we had good numbers and we should be able to train at Apex this week so it should be all good.”
Meredith also stated he will ask the Parkes club if both sets of players can wear black arm bands to honour the memory of Monty Amos.
Amos served on the Raiders committee for countless years, spending time as both president and secretary, while he was also a major sponsor of the club and an avid fan of the men in sky blue.
He passed away earlier this month and his funeral on Tuesday was filled with people wearing football jerseys.
“He was a stalwart and was around the club for a long, long time and was also the major sponsor for years,” Meredith said.
“He was a legend of the club and was at every game up until he got sick and he would even be up there in his wheelchair sometimes.”
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
