Dubbo juniors Luke Gale and Bayden Searle are two of the many players facing a potentially frustrating second half to 2020.
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Both are at NRL clubs, the Dragons and Knights respectively, but there's little play on the horizon for the pair or many other lower grade players after the Canterbury Cup, Jersey Flegg and a number of other competitions were suspended for the year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The two Dubbo juniors are part of a strong Western Rams contingent which will be affected.
Players not involved in NRL first grade lineups are therefore likely to battle for any meaningful game time, but some proposals have been put forward.
Knights coach Adam O'Brien wants his players like Searle to keep active by playing in a makeshift reserve grade competition.
Dragons coach Paul McGregor, someone Gale worked with during pre-season training alongside the club's NRL side, has proposed a nines tournament instead.
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The NRL is believed to be looking into a solution to the issue, but there remains a chance some western area products could return to their home region should they struggle for game time.
Players like Matt Burton and Parkes' Darby Medlyn, who both represented the NSW under 20s last season, are highly thought of at their NRL clubs and will stay in Penrith and Canberra respectively this year, but there are others who could benefit for game time in the bush.
One of those is believed to be Ben Lovett, who captained Parkes' under 18s side last season before heading to the city this year to link up with the South Sydney Rabbitohs' under 20s side.
He could possibly be back in action for the Spacemen should there be any play in Group 11 this year, while those a little older have to wait for ideas like O'Brien's and McGregor's to get off the ground.
A potential reserve grade game on a Monday night would be good for the players' fitness but more importantly, according to O'Brien, it will benefit mental wellbeing.
"For different times we need to be innovative and come up with ways we can help one another out through this," he said.
"(It would ) get our players ready for NRL standard without just training and keep the enthusiasm up.
"It would be good to watch some combined teams play and it might bring another night of footy on the box."
McGregor said some competition be it nines or not, had to happen.
"You can get a look at them and they get enjoyment out of playing," he said of the players.
Those western juniors in the NRL will resume play from May 28.
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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.
