Like every other sporting side in the region, the Roolettes are stuck in a waiting game and awaiting lockdown updates before they can plan for the Westfund Ferguson Cup finals.

The Roolettes were set to meet rivals Bathurst Bulldogs in a bumper major semi-final battle before the lockdown at Dubbo was announced.

With the likelihood of that lockdown being extended again, the finals format could change and the top two could automatically go through to the decider.

It would another chapter to the rivalry as teams from Dubbo and Bathurst have been head and shoulders above others in the cup in recent seasons.

READ ALSO:

- Apex Oval thrashing led to a change in mindset for Rabbitohs

- Delay not ideal, but it does little to dent Rhinos' pride in progress

- Extended lockdown creates further uncertainty for western competitions

The Bulldogs stunned the previously unbeaten Roolettes in last year's Westfund Ferguson Cup grand final and the Bathurst team has continued on this year and lost just once on the way to claiming the minor premiership.

"Both sides would be keen to play and they love playing each other," McDonald said.

"They [Bathurst] are an outstanding side and to win so many on the trot, they're doing something right, and we're a really young side and have got some fire in the belly too so it's pretty exciting.

"I'd like to see both sides at full strength going at it."

One thing about the lockdown is it has allowed a number of niggling injuries the time to heal, so if play can resume it's likely sides would be at the peak fitness.

Match fitness is another issue, but the Roolettes have been dealing with things as best as they can and McDonald and fellow co-coach Kieran Smith have had virtual sessions over Zoom with the players regularly instead of training.

"Last night [Tuesday] we had a strength and conditioning style thing," McDonald said.

"Each of the girls were in a room and we did a circuit there for about 25 minutes. Kieren ran that.

"A lot of the girls are essential workers so they're still working and up on their feet but we're just doing little things to keep them together and make sure they're doing alright, as well."

With the players staying mentally primed and feeling fresh, McDonald thinks any potential grand final could be something special.

"They [Bathurst] are stacked with players of quality and Dubbo, I think, is on par," he said.

"There's quality on both sides and there hasn't been much between the two sides in the majority of their games."

But as much as McDonald and his players would love the chance to play for the title they missed out on, the health of the community comes first.

"It's pretty serious in Dubbo at the moment so we'll just do what we can," McDonald said.

The co-coach added his side would work with whatever Central West Rugby Union chief executive Matt Tink decided and pointed to his vast experience in the game as something worst trusting.

In other grades, the Dubbo Kangaroos finished second in both the Blowes Clothing Cup second and third grade competitions.

The Dubbo Rhinos are also awaiting updates as their second grade side is scheduled to meet Mudgee in the New Holland Agriculture Cup second grade grand final.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: