With so little happening in Group 11 rugby league at the moment it took Cameron Greenhalgh some time to really notice the significance of the date on Sunday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Any other year the Forbes Magpies coach would be on the sideline at Parkes' Pioneer Oval watching one of the biggest matches of the season.
But not in 2020.
"It was a bit strange," he said of a footy-free long weekend.
"You kind of forget and then remember we were meant to be playing Parkes this weekend.
"Was great weather too so it would have been a cracking day."
The annual southern derby between the Spacemen and Magpies is one of the most special annual events on the Group 11 calendar.
Last season's clash - which the Spacemen won - attracted a record gate of more than $11,000.
READ ALSO:
But instead of marvelling at the support from 'Magpie Hill' at Pioneer, Greenhalgh has been left wondering if his side will get a run this year.
The wait for an update on senior competitions goes on as the impact of COVID-19 on sporting clubs and organisations is really beginning to show.
The Newcastle competition became the latest to be cancelled for 2020 late last week while the Temora Dragons have confirmed they won't be part of any Group 9 competition in the state's south this year.
The goal in Group 11 remains to have some kind of competition go ahead and Greenhalgh supports that but he knows the longer it goes with concrete information the less likely play is.
"With the NRL starting the interest started again but locally it's faded away," the respected coach said.
"But something's got to happen soon. If we can work out something that works best and is fair for every club it would be good ... but from a Group 11 point of view if one or two clubs are unable to play then you've just got to call the season.
"It's got to be one in, all in."
Junior sporting competitions were given the green light to go-ahead from July 1 last week but Group 11 secretary Paul Loxley has previously stated it would be difficult to run an under 18s competition separately from the seniors.
Greenhalgh, who has coached numerous junior under 18s side in the past, is hopeful some kind of 18s competition will go ahead this year given how important that age group is.
"It would be good for them," he said.
"But those older blokes towards the end of their footy, if they've been enjoying their weekend without it they might just hang the boots up."
The Magpies were again expected to feature a strong mix of youth and experience in 2020.
Former premiership winning captain Jake Grace was back as was Mitch Andrews and those arrivals combined with a strong pre-season had created a real buzz around the town.
"The build-up was really good and we were getting ready for trials against Cowra and St Pat's," Greenhalgh said of pre-season.
"We were looking good, some players had returned and we were happy with the fitness.
"It was a shock to get the phone call to say we couldn't train and you just thought it might be a few weeks.
"I think that's maybe why there's such a dull feeling around, because we were looking so good."
Do you want more sport from the Dubbo region? Sign up to our newsletters here:
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.
