In a perfect world the Dubbo CYMS players and fans would be spending Sunday at Apex Oval, celebrating four derby victories and more Group 11 minor premierships.
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That isn't the case due to the ongoing COVID outbreak and extended lockdown in the region, but the club has still had plenty of reason to cheer this year.
CYMS, like every other sporting side in the region, may not have been able to take to the field on the weekend but the Dubbo club still finished the regular season with three of the four minor premierships on offer.
The cancellation of the final round of the Group 11 season means the Fishies finished top in first grade, juniors, and league tag while the reserve grade outfit was second behind crosstown rivals, the Macquarie Raiders.
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As disappointing as it is to miss out on that event and the chance to play, Fraser said it was the right choice as "health is first and everything else is a distant second".
And while the ongoing rise in COVID case numbers now means the Group 11 finals appear in real doubt, three minor premierships is something CYMS feels is a real reward for effort this year.
"It is a positive, of course it is," Fraser said.
"We just have really good people right through the club. That's what it is.
"Not only the players, but the coaches as well, and it's all been good but it is hard.
"You'd love to play a grand final to see where you're at but the regular season, we're really happy."
There had been a sense of uncertainty around CYMS heading into the 2021 season as there was a change of coach in each of the four grades.
Strong recruitment at first grade rivals also had many tipping teams other than the Fishies to claim the crown in 2021 but a blistering start to the season sent CYMS on its way.
It was a similar story in the other grades and across the entire club there was not one match lost in the opening six rounds of the season.
"It's just consistency. Everything has been pretty consistent and I've met some really good people at the club this year," Fraser said.
"Some of the new people at the club has been fantastic and that's the main reason you do things, to meet new people.
"That's been a pleasing side of it."
It could be a great finals series, still.
- Mick Fraser
Some slight wobbles in the second half of the season meant only CYMS' unbeaten and dominant women's league tag side was guaranteed the minor premiership heading into the final round.
The first grade side was level on points with Wellington, who had been scheduled to meet Parkes, while the reserve grade side was trailing Macquarie only on for-and-against, and the juniors sat just the one point ahead of the Raiders.
"Reserve grade was pleasing because there was so many young guys coming through," Fraser said.
"There was a lot of young kids in the side, a lot of 19-year-olds.
"The (league tag) is a very good side and has been very good all year."
The first grade and reserve grade competitions also got special mention from Fraser given the competitive nature of both this season.
The first grade top five - CYMS, Wellington, Nyngan, Macquarie, and Parkes - all appear evenly matched as the wait for finals continues while Nyngan and Wellington's impressive run home in reserve grade was putting pressure on the two Dubbo teams.
"It could be a great finals series, still," Fraser said.
"It was one of the better first grade competitions and there weren't a lot of games that were easy."
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