The coming weeks could be very special for Madi Crowe.
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On Sunday she will get the opportunity to claim a first Group 11 premiership with Dubbo CYMS while she's also hoping to retain her place in the Australian women's touch football team.
While the Group 11 first grade competition attracted a number of high-profile players for the 2019 season, Crowe's arrival was one met with a huge amount of anticipation.
The national representative hasn't disappointed either, slotting into the CYMS side seamlessly after moving from the Central Coast to be with partner, and fellow Fishies players, Corey Drew.
Crowe has been a key figure at five-eighth and her passing game in particular has been a real strength and played a major part in getting CYMS to the grand final in unbeaten and dominant fashion.
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While she might have caught the eye within the club, CYMS has also impressed Crowe this season.
Despite having played at numerous elite events, including this year's Touch World Cup, the standard of things in Dubbo has made an impact.
"I've definitely been impressed," she said.
"Especially first grade, I've never seen such great footy before and making the grand final of the Challenge Cup shows the level of country footy.
"I've loved it [at CYMS]. It's a bit different but it's a new experience and I'm learning a lot as well."
The strength of the league tag competition has also left a mark on Crowe, but it's been her side which has been the dominant force this year.
It hasn't all been smooth sailing for CYMS but they still head into Sunday's grand final as favourite.
The fact CYMS is playing Forbes may come as a shock to some, given Parkes has played in the past four league tag grand finals, but the young Magpies have made great strides and improved as the year has gone on.
"I'm so excited. It's been great to be undefeated all year so hopefully we can follow it through," Crowe said.
"They [Forbes] are definitely an underdog team but they're very fit and very young.
"They've come along this year."
As well as focusing on the grand final Crowe has also been working to maintain fitness ahead of the looming national touch team announcements.
Next year is another huge one in the international touch arena, with feature events like the Trans-Tasman series to gain much attention.
But for now the focus in the decider, something the side has been targeting all year.
"We're always planning for what's next and what we need to improve on. We never take any team lightly," Crowe said, hailing her teammates.
"We're so close and they've been so welcoming for me since day dot so it's been a great and positive year."
Sunday's grand final kicks off at 10am at Apex Oval.
- DUBBO CYMS: 1 Alahna Ryan, 2 Lucy Guan, 3 Haley Butcherine, 4 Grace Pilon, 5 Jinnara Tyson, 6 Madi Crowe, 7 Jinnaya Tyson, 8 Emily Caton, 9 Nic Grose, 10 Zenetra Astill, 11 Maddi Chapman, 12 Cassie Toomey, 13 Kimberlee Gordon, 14 Taneka Todhunter, 15 Montana Brown, 16 Tatum Roberts, 17 Isabella Astley, 18 Grace Gilbert, 19 Isabella Drady, 20 Skye Crawford
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.
