The Dubbo Kangaroos women's side has been as close to unstoppable this season as any side in the region has been in recent history.
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But this year has been about much more than success.
It's been about development, it's been about acceptance, and it's been about having a whole lot of fun.
The Roos women have starred for the club this season and head into Saturday's Westfund Ferguson Cup grand final at Orange having racked up lopsided win after lopsided win in 2020.
The Roos brushed aside Forbes 94-0 in last weekend's semi-final and it's those type of performances which have led to some not ask if the side will win the grand final against Bathurst Bulldogs, but by how much.
But that's not the kind of thing Roos captain Kim Fyfe and her players are thinking about.
"Everyone enjoys winning but it's good to have that team unity," Fyfe said.
"Everyone is having a go and everyone is playing."
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This year marks the second the Roos have fielded a women's side but 2019 was filled with heavy losses and a number of forfeits.
New players, such as LillyAnn Mason-Spice and Janalee Conroy, have made a real impact and turned the Roos into the competition hotshots but development of players from last year has also been key.
As has the strengthening bonds within the playing group and the club as a whole.
"We've had a lot of support from the club and the unity of the club has been really strong," Fyfe said, having seen the side develop from last year.
"We feel a bit more part of the Dubbo Roos.
"It's really fun. Last year we didn't do as much as a team or go out because there were a lot of young ones and we didn't bond as much as we have this year.
"Even at training, there's at least 10 per session and then you go to the pub afterwards and you're with the boys as well and it's all really enjoyable. It's been a good year."
While the likes of Mason-Spice, Conroy, and Alahna Ryan have grabbed most of the headlines for their stunning point-scoring ability, Fyfe has been a key part of the side's success.
Someone with Central West representative experience, Fyfe has led the forward pack and continually got her side on a roll and allowed the scintillating backline to dominate.
While she laughs when she says how much she'd love to score a first try for the season in Saturday's decider clash Bulldogs, the main thing for the skipper is seeing the team get the job done.
"Our goal might not be to score tries. We're a backs' team so we want to use that backline as much as possible," she said of the forward pack.
"I'll be honest, I'd rather not run the 60 or 70 metres up the field but I'm more than happy to jog up there and give them a pat on the back."
The Roos have only met the Bulldogs once this season and that was back in round one.
They won that one 36-21 and that's remained easily the closest match they've been a part of this season.
"They've got a similar game to us," Fyfe said.
"They always come out hard and they're the team we always wanted to play in the grand final.
"It will be tough because we haven't seen them since the first round so it will be good to see if the things we've worked on at training show on the field."
The women's grand final is first-up on grand final day at Orange's Wade Park and kicks off at 10.30am.
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.
