Big name players and big moments of drama have dominated much of the Group 11 air-time throughout the 2019 season, but Group 11 secretary Paul Loxley still thinks grand final day will be the stand-out.
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"I think it should be wonderful, it should be really, really good football," Loxley said.
"There's quality teams, the best teams from the season - apart from Nyngan's reserve grade - are all present."
The four games at Apex Oval on Sunday will feature Dubbo CYMS in all four contests, with the League Tag and Juniors sides taking on Forbes, and the reserve and first grade teams meeting Wellington.
"It's sad that Nyngan didn't make it in the reserves, but the two teams that are there and CYMS have earned it."
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CYMS' efforts this season earned them minor premierships in every grade but the reserves and a club championship and while Loxley says it would have been nice to see other clubs involved, it's impossible to 'begrudge' the club's success.
"They're a professional outfit in the way they present themselves and operate, they cross the t's and dot the i's, whatever success they have on Sunday will be deserved."
Despite CYMS' dominance, Loxley says he's been pleased with the overall quality of the competition this year, with more 'consistent' quality a the top end of the field.
"The quality of the football itself has been good all year, I think if we'd been lucky enough to have Carney in the cross-group game, we'd have knocked Group 10 off this year."
Carney is one of a number of big-name players having joined Group 11 this season with other names like Travis Waddell, Dennis Moran and Timana Tahu making waves for the Cowboys in their appearances.
"I think it's a sign of the times, gone are the days of one club players, life isn't easy in 2019, guys that have some ability and love the game and want to pick up a few dollars to do it, I'm certainly not going to begrudge them or get in their way."
"You can't blame anybody in this day and age for wanting to do something they love. I know it's a bit of a chequebook mentality, but those are the times we live in."
According to Loxley, there's a definite benefit to the level of play in Group 11 thanks to the veteran players signing up, but standards were already quite high, given the number of juniors going on to make NRL debuts.
"The number of players who are now in the NRL, I think it's wonderful that our area is producing these players and I think it's wonderful that they're coming back to contribute in the twilight of their years."
