There was a huge amount of motivation within the Dubbo Kangaroos heading into this year's Central West Rugby Union finals.
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The Roos had painfully suffered defeat in three grand finals in 2020 so this year was the chance to turn that around.
But now, club president Gerald Webster says it's simply "sad".
The Central West Rugby Union season was abandoned on Monday, with chief executive Matt Tink announcing COVID cases spreading around the region and any potential restrictions in place post-lockdown as leading factors in the decision.
The Roos had four sides qualify for finals this year.
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The initial lockdown meant a change in finals structure and the top in each grade went straight through to grand finals and that meant the Roos' second grade and third grade sides were 80 minutes from Blowes Clothing Cup titles and the women's side was set for another Westfund Ferguson Cup decider.
All have missed out on grand final glory now as CWRU has awarded the minor premiers in each competition the title.
"It's pretty sad, really," Webster said.
"In terms of the decision, I'm probably sitting on the fence. I know a few of our blokes have been pretty vocal about it.
"I'm not going to sit here and argue about it and it is what it is, but's it's a shit-house way to end a season."
The frustration is obvious but Webster added he could understand the decision given the need to put community safety and the wellbeing of players first.
Matches haven't been played since August 7 and if the current lockdown was to be extended, that would mean more than a month of waiting before getting back into training for the biggest matches of the season.
"We're very disappointed not to finish the season but ultimately you could sit here for another two weeks and drag it out and then re-train or play trials just to play again," Webster said.
"We could be locked down for another month or more, who knows."
The decision, however, still sting given the Roos were in with a chance of multiple premierships this season after suffering defeat in the women's, second grade, third grade, and colts grand finals last year.
"After being bridesmaids last year we were pretty keen to make amends this year," Webster added.
"Seconds, thirds and women were all in the grand finals then and were all potentially in the grand final this year so it's disappointing."
The Cowra Eagles were crowed Blowes Clothing Cup premiers while Orange Emus finished as champions in second and third grade and Orange City won colts.
Orange City finished as colts premiers and Bathurst Bulldogs were awarded a fifth successive Westfund Ferguson Cup title.
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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.
