Dubbo Rhinos president Ian Burns admits his club hasn't reached the expectations set this year.
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But, with just two weeks left of the Rhinos' season, he's focused on the positives and hopes for a much stronger 2021.
No Rhinos side will play finals this season, with the first and second grade outfit to finish their campaigns on Saturday as they have the bye in the final round of the New Holland Agriculture Cup regular season.
The colts team has been a standout for the club and while it is currently third on the ladder can't make ground on the top two, who advance straight through to the decider this year.
"We've probably not lived up to expectations or been where we should be but there's always positives and some new people are already interested for next year," Burns said.
"And hopefully the guys who have to come us from league or elsewhere this year stick around and realise rugby is not too foreign.
"But there's always positives. The colts squad have said they're going to stick around and they all have another year in colts because they're bottom age.
"They're pretty pumped about playing together again and hopefully having a full pre-season together."
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Burns has coached the colts to three wins from seven games this season but changes are ahead in the senior coaching ranks.
Darren Taylor has confirmed he won't be going around again as first grade coach but Burns has already had indications from a number of people about their interest in joining the club next season.
The Burns-coached colts have the bye this weekend before a meeting with second-placed Orange City in the final round.
"The seniors and committee are so pumped about the young fellas," Burns said of the colts.
"Not just because the quality of rugby but the quality of people. They're great young kids and have been tremendous for the club.
"They keep the spirits up and play some really, really exciting rugby."
The senior sides head to Mudgee on Saturday and the trip provides the first grade outfit their last chance to score a first win since the start of last season.
The Rhinos have one win to their name in 2020 but that came via forfeit from CSU.
Nothing will come easy on Saturday though, with the Mudgee Wombats currently top-of-the-table and flying towards the decider.
"They'd just love to get a win," Burns said.
"Mudgee is probably close to the favourite so it's a tall order but the second half last week against Narromine was really inspiring.
"They were under-manned, so to win the second half in that game was sensational."
The Rhinos went down 19-12 to the second-placed Gorillas in that game last weekend.
First grade kick-off is 3.15pm at Mudgee's Jubilee Oval on Saturday.
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.
