Yes, it's been said time and time again this year was one unlike any other.
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But you can't deny it's truth.
If someone was to say to you when the year began the local cricket season wouldn't finish, no Group 11 rugby league would be played at all, and the Astley Cup would be cancelled you would rightly think they were crazy.
But despite the huge and ongoing impact COVID had on our lives, there was still some incredible sporting moments in our region this year.
This week we'll bring you our top 20, five moments a day in no particular order that show why this year was another memorable one.
COVID ARRIVES, COUGARS CROWNED
We just have to start here.
When March arrived there was already plenty of talk about the coronavirus pandemic but there had been no major decision affecting sport until Dubbo District Cricket Association (DDCA) announced on March 17 the season would be abandoned.
The call was made just days before the RSL-Whitney Cup semi-final, where RSL-Colts and Macquarie were scheduled to meet for the right to play minor premiers CYMS in the decider.
Neither match went ahead, handing the title to the Cougars.
The decision to cancel the season came after Cricket Australia strongly recommended all community cricket to crease as COVID numbers began to rise.
"It's the right thing to do," DDCA president Jeff Shanks said at the time.
"It's not about stopping the coronavirus but slowing it and the best way to do that is by not having social gatherings."
We've played great cricket all season.
- Ben Knaggs on CYMS in 2019/20
CYMS lost just four times during the 2019/20 season and while admitting it was a "weird" way to win, captain Ben Knaggs felt the title was still deserved.
"There's been a lot of hard work this season and the boys deserve it," he said.
"We've played great cricket all season."
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YEO'S RAMPAGE SENDS PANTHERS TO DECIDER
The boy from Dubbo produced a stunning catalogue of highlights this year.
But this run and try assist earned him rave reviews and the kind of recognition he's gone without for so long.
"This is probably the play of the year by any Panther player," Fox commentator Braith Anasta said.
"That could take these young Panthers into the final and from nowhere. The footwork and speed. Isaah Yeo busts through and fends off (Damien) Cook."
So often an unsung hero and someone who has flown under the radar at Penrith, Yeo took his game to a new level this year.
In the same week he produced this outstanding run in the grand final qualifier he was named the NRL's Dally M Lock of the Year.
He also went on to represent the NSW State of Origin side in a truly memorable season.
FANTASTIC MR. FOX DELIVERS AGAIN
He's been one of the best players in the region for more than a decade and has done nearly everything there is to do, but this year was special for Scott Fox.
Fox returned to the regional stage this year as the Western Premier League was revived and played out for the first time since 2012.
Fox's Dubbo FC, a side that had dominated the previous edition of the competition, was tipped by many as the side top beat given there was so many experienced campaigners in the lineup.
But the Bulls were a little sluggish early in the year and at one point there was the very real chance they could miss the finals.
But the class shone through and they made it through to a bumper Dubbo derby grand final against youthful minor premiers, Macquarie United.
And there, Fox rose again.
It was a bit emotional, to be honest.
- Scott Fox on winning the WPL grand final
He scored twice in the 2-1 grand final victory, both goals being headers from wonderful Dom Ambler crosses.
"It was a bit emotional, to be honest," Fox said after the win.
"We put a lot of pressure on ourselves throughout the week and Macquarie is a good side and we were up against it, especially in that last half hour or so, and it made the win even sweeter."
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EMOTIONAL TITLE WIN FOR INJURED CAPTAIN
Fusion Heat is the best team in the city across any sport. No one can argue against it when you look at their record.
The side came into 2020 looking for a fourth successive title but this season was different.
The season was delayed and then shortened due to COVID-19 and player changes in the Heat lineup and around the competition made it one of the most even Rawson Homes Premiership A Grade campaigns in some time.
In the final round of the regular season Heat suffered a huge blow as inspirational captain and midcourt player Tash Robinson went down with a serious knee injury in the final minutes.
It ruled her out of the semi-final and grand final, played out against minor premier Fusion Fire.
Robinson said it was "devastating" to miss the finals but, bound to a wheelchair, she was watching from the sideline during the semi-final win and was there again for the decider.
She was something of an emotional wreck during both matches but was overjoyed as her side lifted and defeated Fusion Fire to claim a fourth successive title.
It was one of the more emotional moments this year and proof the bond within Fusion Heat has developed just as much as the players' skills in recent years.
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NATIONAL HAUL FUELS BARBER'S OLYMPIC DESIRE
At one point this year it seemed Danny Barber and his fellow Dubbo Cycle Club stars would miss out on the chance to ride for national glory this season.
The National Track Cycling Championships were originally meant to be held in March but were pushed back to September once COVID-19 arrived.
They were then postponed again but in early December the titles finally went ahead in Brisbane and it proved worth the wait for Barber.
The teenager shook off a year or disrupted training and the distraction of HSC studies to win three gold medals in the under 19s category.
The golds came in the sprint, time trial, and kieren events while he won silver in the team pursuit and also rode personal best times at Brisbane to further cement his status as one of the most exciting young riders in the country.
"Being in the Australian team and maybe riding at Olympics in the next four years is definitely my goal," he fired after the stunning campaign.
Barber has every right to set such lofty goals given the success he and so many from the Dubbo club have achieved in recent years.
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