The respective captain-coaches of Dubbo's two Group 11 clubs have spoken about the 'devastating' and 'deflating' circumstances around the 2020 season.
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CYMS and Macquarie, like all clubs in the state, are in a holding pattern currently with no rugby league participation of any kind allowed until at least May 1 amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The Group 11 season was scheduled to start on the last weekend of April but that won't be the case and with restrictions getting tighter almost by the day there is a chance all play could be delayed further.
CYMS mentor Jarryn Powyer and Macquarie's Alex Ronayne have currently put all work on hold, with safety being the main focus.
Both clubs are littered with players with young families and no-one has wanted to take a risk, especially following recent news there are coronavirus cases in the Dubbo electorate.
"We got together last Thursday and spoke about what we can do," Ronayne said.
"We can still train with 10 people for now but a lot of us have young kids and families so we've pulled the pin until it's safe to do so again."
"It's better safe than sorry," Powyer said in regards to stopping training.
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Both leaders were particularly disappointed after promising pre-season campaigns.
There had been plenty of off-season movements at both clubs with CYMS enduring the most changes it had experienced in a number of years while Macquarie virtually brought in an entire new squad.
CYMS played two matches in the Challenge Cup while also got to run out a number of younger players in a trial meeting with Dunedoo, while a new-look Raiders outfit took part in the West Wyalong Knockout before gelling more in a win over Tullibigeal Lake Cargelligo.
"It's deflating," Powyer said, adding he had even given thought to the possibility of not playing at all this year.
It was particularly disappointing for Ronayne as he was embarking on his first season as a captain-coach.
After making the switch across town from the Fishies, Ronayne was working with a host of new recruits to help the Raiders get back towards the top of the table.
The moves haven't finished either with Esera Esera, the brother of fellow recruit Mose Esera, also set to join and move to Dubbo from Queensland when possible.
"It was going well ... it was feeling good back in blue," the Macquarie junior said.
"It's so devastating for the club and I couldn't repay them. But this won't last forever and I'll get the chance to repay them then."
While things are on hold, both said the responsibility is on all players to remain fit and ready to go in case the season does start at some point.
Contact is regular among all players at the two clubs with plenty of discussions had about best to keep busy and fit at this time.
"We'll get together next week for a weigh in," Ronayne said.
"What people weigh there we'll want them to stay at or only put on a couple of kilos before we start again.
"We had a really good pre-season and everyone was fit and in good shape."
Ronayne added he was keen to see his squad remain united in the coming weeks and possibly months, even if they can't spend time together.
"We'll stick together as a team. We still get in contact and talk,' he said.
"We're in a big group chat and we have a laugh so it still feels like you're together even if you're not."