When Paul Crain agreed to become Macquarie United's inaugural coach in the Western Premier League he put together a three-year plan.
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With so many young players in the club he wanted to develop the Dubbo side into the region's dominant team.
He may have watched his side suffer a painful grand final defeat on Saturday night but there's no doubt Macquarie is well-placed for a sustained run of success.
Macquarie won the minor premiership in 2020 but was beaten 2-1 by Dubbo FC in the decider derby at Apex Oval.
A Scott Fox double won the grand final for the Bulls on Saturday while Brad Matiuscenko scored the lone goal for a gutsy Macquarie outfit.
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"It went Bulls' way tonight but I think we've sent a message to western area football that we're going to be competitive," Crain said after the final.
"And we've got to the biggest stage with a group of blokes with an average age of about 25.
"We've got many years ahead of us and there's some of the old Bulls' legs which will be a bit sore tonight but credit to them."
Everything was on the line on Saturday night and it was heated at times but the match also showed all that is good about Dubbo football.
The standard of play was top class while the rivalry between the two teams was fully on display.
And while there was some heated moments - Macquarie's Justin Pickering was sent off late in the first half after a second yellow - there were still signs the rivalry is ultimately a friendly one.
There was the odd occasion where Crain and Bulls counterpart Jason Schink shared a laugh on the sidelines while there was plenty of back pats between rivals on the field.
"It's great for Dubbo football," Crain said.
"There's these two sides and (Orana) Spurs as well. If you put these two sides together we'd be bloody unbeatable.
"It's a great spectacle and we've got a really good rivalry. We love playing these blokes but we just love beating them more.
"It wasn't our night tonight but I'm still proud of this team."
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.
