While there were several sterling contributions to sport from other arenas, it was Toohey's Group 11 that dominated the readership, with the top ten most popular stories all coming from the action across the competition this year.

The consensus best team in the competition found themselves with a tough task ahead of them late in the season after suffering losses to the Cowboys and Tigers, but CYMS were able to dig deep and fight their way to another minor premiership in a fiery clash at Apex Oval with rivals Wellington.

Dubbo CYMS on the cusp of a historic four title sweep, the Wellington Cowboys desperately fighting to end title droughts in first and reserve grade and the Forbes Magpies Juniors ready to give it all in their hopes to upset CYMS. Grand Final time at Apex Oval was special for all the right reasons this year and produced some truly stunning moments, so it was no surprise that our grand final breakdown and play by play drew eyes.

Signings season, silly season, mid-year madness, whatever you want to call it and wherever the biggest movements between teams and groups happen, it always seems to surprise. 2019 was no different, with a huge number of big names coming to the Central West, whether it was Justin Carney returning to his hometown of Nyngan, or Dennis Moran, Travis Waddell and Timana Tahu signing up to the Cowboys' title campaign, there was plenty of reason to keep one eye on the signing announcements this year.

One of the first clear signs that the Cowboys were a force that would be hard to stop in 2019, the arrival of Timana Tahu and the Cowboys notching up their first victory over Dubbo CYMS in four years was an impressive, staggering display that would end up serving as a prophetic look at the eventual grand final result when the two teams met months later.

One of the few dark spots in an otherwise exemplary competition this year was the continued struggles of the Westside Rabbitohs. While the club put up an incredible, gutsy battle throughout the year, their season ended early after injuries, 100 point losses and forfeits piled up.

While Westside won't return in 2020, there's hope that a rebuild period throughout the upcoming year will see the club return in strength in the 2021 season.

"It's been way too long."

Those were the words of Cowboys leader Justin Toomey-White after his side ended their title drought against Dubbo CYMS.

Spurred by a mammoth crowd from Wellington that knew that pain all too well, the Cowboys' long, painful run to become first grade premiership title holders ended in elation at Apex Oval in the 2019 Grand Final. While the game played out more like a foregone conclusion than the nail-biting back and forth we're used to from Group 11 finals time, it was a fitting end to the Cowboys 25 year wait and an impressive show of improvement from a side that had struggled to be competitive just two years ago.

The Nyngan Tigers were dealt a few blows early in the season, with injuries and a few disappointing games threatening to turn the club's season upside down, but a second half surge saw them leave the competition with their head's held high and this late 32 - 18 win over CYMS at Apex Oval was one of the high points for a club that showed it had everything required belong in the top three come finals time.

Who says the most explosive footy action occurs on field?

While it might not have had the same stunning impact as John Gray's reverse move years prior, CYMS star Alex Ronayne's post-season move to the Macquarie Raiders still set a fire in the midst of the post-season glow. The back-rower will lead former club Macquarie through the next two seasons, and the switch could shake things up in a big way.

Who would make up the best team out of the best players in a competition? Which greats would boost each other further and higher than thought possible? It's no secret that this season held some of the best talent we've seen in recent memory and the votes came pouring in to decide who was the best of the best.

"I've never forgotten ... it's tough footy".

Those were the words of international Rugby League star Justin Carney after getting his first returning touches of bush footy at the helm of the Nyngan Tigers.

Never one to mince words, the tank on the flank's return was a huge moment for Nyngan, and the Group 11 competition at the start of the year.