The long-term focus of the Dubbo Junior AFL committee and an emphasis on development continues to produce strong performances on the field.
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With just two rounds remaining in the AFL Central West junior competition Dubbo sides are firmly in the finals mix and one, in particular, appears the leading premiership contender in its age group.
Dubbo sides were at home last weekend against the Orange Tigers and there was wins for the Youth Girls and under 12s.
The victory for the Youth Girls was their second of the season and a reward for plenty of effort given this year marks the first time Dubbo has fielded a team in that division.
For the under 12s, it was more of the same.
Last year the side only won once all season but with the core group back again this time and development continuing, the victories have followed.
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The Dubbo side defeated Orange on Sunday and that, combined with the Bathurst Giants' match against the Bathurst Bushrangers cancelled because of poor weather, moved the Ben Fairman-coached side into top spot on the ladder.
The under 12s travel to take on the Giants in a blockbuster match this weekend and victory there would go a long way to securing the minor premiership and automatic progression to the grand final.
"They're going great at the moment," Fairman said.
"After last year, we were so close week in, week out and there was only a goal or two in it each game and this year the team has just come together.
"It's been another 12 months together and they're learning the game and progressing and going along nicely."
As the side now sits in outright first position the excitement within the side has gone to another level and as pleasing as it is for Fairman to experience that, he also has to temper it somewhat.
"It's about keeping it in check so there's not too much pressure," he said.
"That's so they don't lose the enjoyment or get too down if things don't go their way. It's a a balancing act to keep them excited but keep them in check.
"At the end of the day, it's kids' football and I say to them each week 'if you can come off the field knowing you've done your best then the scoreline doesn't matter'."
The all-round team effort was most pleasing during the win over Orange at South Dubbo Oval and that has been the case for much of the season.
As much as Fairman said there has been effort right across the park, he did single out Cameron Healey for praise.
In his first season in the game Healey has been a standout most weeks and made the Central West representative squad this season while has also earned school representative honours.
The under 14s side might have been beaten on Sunday but it is on track to make the finals as well while the under 17s remain winless but have earned a huge amount of praise for their development during their first season in the competition.
Fairman said the credit for much of the success and growth goes to the Dubbo Junior AFL committee which has ensured "years of hard work" to get the game into a healthy state in the city.
"I think there's probably six or eight (players) from the 14s who will go to the 17s next season and there's the same in the 12s, who will go into 14s, and the same again in AusKick, who will move into the 12s," Fairman said.
"Everything builds for years to come. It's a process and some of these kids have been with the club for five or six years and they're moving up through the age groups and it takes time to build each age group.
"Next year, I think, there's going to be a lot of good things to come."
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