Finishing a season which has already been declared a "write off" with one of the most daunting road-trips in Central West rugby feels like something bordering on cruel.
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It's what faces the Dubbo Rhinos on Saturday, but rather than wave the white flag coach Brett Austin wants his young troops to show some fight at Narromine's Cale Oval and take some inspiration from the powerhouse Gorillas.
There was a real buzz around the Rhinos coming into this season but the more the year went on the more things went from bad to worse.
Coach Mark Reijnen barely lasted a month in the top job, a number of serious injuries were suffered, while unavailability and suspensions have also had a major impact on progress in the New Holland Agriculture Cup.
The changes forced Austin, who was planning a year of semi-retirement playing and coaching in second grade to step up to the top-flight on and off the field.
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But the side was immediately behind the eight-ball and they head to Narromine consigned to the wooden spoon, having not won a match all season.
"It's been tough. Very tough," Austin said.
"Even for myself, I'm 37 and had been planning on playing and coaching in second grade.
"It's my 16th season with the club and that takes a toll. I'm not up to it.
"But the frustrating thing is, individually, all our players are really good but we've just lacked in one or two positions and that would have changed everything."
The biggest thing for Austin and the Rhinos is seeing the younger core of players stick together during the off-season and plan for not only next year, but many more down the path.
That, combined with the discussions for players in 2020 already taking place, has Austin hoping his club can achieve the kind of success Narromine has.
The Gorillas, a former Blowes Clothing Cup powerhouse, went through to doldrums for a number of seasons before bouncing back in a big way in more recent times.
Much of that is down to a strong core group of players, many who came through the grades together for more than a decade, and after a undefeated premiership-winning campaign last season the Gorillas are top of the ladder again this year.
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"We need this group to stay together for that depth," Austin said.
"The average age in first grade would be about 23. There's guys like Dale Smith who just turned 18 and Matty Neill is the captain and one of the oldest and he's only 23.
"Players don't peak until they're 25, 26 or older so if they stick together they can put together a run like Narromine has."
The weekend's match at Narromine may seem like one off little consequence with top taking on bottom, but it will be a hugely important one for the Gorillas.
The day will be the club's annual Beat the Breakdown fixture, with the focus again on raising money and awareness for mental health.
As well as the Gorillas wearing special one-off kits which will be auctioned off post-game, a group of walkers trekking from Collie to Narromine also for Beat the Breakdown will enter Cale Oval prior to kick-off in first grade at 3.15pm.
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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.
