Justin Carney is a man who has played at the highest level.
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The barnstorming outside back returned to Group 11 to much fanfare this year after stints in the NRL and Super League during a professional career which spanned more than a decade.
But despite all he had achieved, Carney has labelled Nyngan's Group 11 clashes with the Wellington Cowboys this season as some of the best of his career.
While the Tigers players and fans would have loved nothing more than to move on from Sunday's preliminary final and fight for a maiden Group 11 premiership, Carney had few complains after being beaten by a Wellington side he has plenty of respect for.
"Full credit goes to those guys," he said of the Cowboys after the 38-30 loss at Forbes.
"They've worked hard as a community, a group, and a side to get to this place.
"It's good to see two teams battle it out like this today because I've said before every game I've been involved with (against Wellington) is up there with the best in my career.
"The passion and pride that both teams bring to the table is really good but today we just lacked everywhere.
"But that's footy and you don't play because you're going to win every week."
Sunday marked the fourth time the Tigers and Cowboys had met this season and it was the fourth time the sides were separated by just 10 points or less.
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Carney said his side was outplayed in every aspect in the preliminary final and it would be hard to anyone to disagree given the Tigers never led at any point.
They got back to 12-10 at one point late in the first half and Carney himself seemed destined to put his side in front when he barrelled towards the line, but a tremendous James Stanley tackle saw him stopped just centimetres short.
The Cowboys went on to score right on the half-time siren and that went a long way to deciding the match.
"Every try (they scored) was massive for us as we lacked in all areas. They weren't lucky tries," Carney said.
"They were just dominated our eagerness and I can't really say there was any lucky tries or anything.
"We were just outplayed."
While Carney said he's loved being back at the Tigers he added he was keen some time away from the game following Sunday's loss.
The defeat marked the end of the season for the Nyngan club as the reserve graders also lost their preliminary final to Wellington.
"I love this club and this town but I need a break now," Carney said.
"I'll be looking forward that and spending some time with my kids and doing what's important in life."
While the wait for a premiership goes on, Nyngan did make history on Friday night when Jacob Neill became the first Tiger to be named Group 11 player of the year.