Rugby league finals should be getting played and there should be plenty of anticipation for local knockouts, the statewide NSW Koori Knockout and the chance to see family and friends from around the state.

The COVID outbreak across NSW has put an end to that and many of those in the smaller communities are doing it the hardest at the moment.

The annual Dubbo Waratahs Rugby League Knockout is one of the events which has been cancelled, but that doesn't mean organisers aren't doing all they can for the city and the wider western region.

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Instead of organising teams and putting together draws, the knockout's organising committee is doing all it can to promote an important message.

"If we can get this right and follow the Public Health Orders, and stay at home and encourage everyone to follow the health messages and do what we need to around vaccinations, we can get back to these carnivals," Charlie Trindall, who is part of the Waratahs organising committee, said.

"If we do things right, we can get back to doing what we love most and that's great bush footy and even better company. We've missed out the past two years."

The Waratahs Knockout attracts teams from around the state each year, with players from the likes of Sydney and Newcastle regularly attending.

But it means the most to Dubbo and the western area.

"Teams from all over the western region come each year. From as far as Wilcannia, Brewarrina, Bourke, and Goodooga and they're some of the towns which have now been hit the hardest," Trindall added.

"The health and safety of those communities is far more important than the carnival and we knew the devastation this virus could have on some of the smaller communities, and we're seeing it now in the news every day. These towns are in the headlines every day so it's sad to see."

The connection many Indigenous communities have with rugby league is incredibly strong.

Grace Toomey, also part of the Waratahs organising committee and a councillor for the NSW Aboriginal Land Council, knows no local rugby league or knockouts makes it even tougher for those who are now forced to stay home or isolate.

"Luckily the NRL had the sense to move to Queensland because I think a lot of our little communities would be lost without having the NRL, at least, and the grand final to look forward to while knowing they're missing out," she said.

"It gives them a bit of comfort."

Both Grace Toomey and Waratahs president Thomas 'Spock' Toomey stated this is the time for people to be responsible for their own actions and there was a real emphasis on the need for younger members of the community to educate themselves.

The isolation is a challenge for all, but especially some Indigenous communities and that has been spoken about at length.

The Western NSW LHD director of Aboriginal health and wellbeing Brendon Cutmore emphasised it when speaking recently, admitting it goes against what many in the community know as the response is often "gather together, and we share our resources and we normally take care of each other in the way of pulling everybody together".

"Stay in contact with families and friends through phone calls or video chats and things like that," Trindall said.

"We need to encourage each other to stay in contact. We're a tightknit mob and we rely on those relationships with other households and communities so it is a tough time."

Events like 2022 rugby league knockouts might seem like a long way off, but the chance to be at those again is being used as motivation to follow all current guidelines and advice.

"Staying at home, getting tested, and getting the vaccination. That can get you ready for next year," Grace Toomey said.

"I know there's a lot of hesitancy in our little communities, as well as Dubbo, around vaccination, particularly with the younger ones, so the message is to look after your community and your Elders.

"Make sure you're there next year. We've got to look after each other so our Elders are around next year to watch you play knockout football. That's the message I'd like to get out. Will Nan be around next year to watch us play?"

Getting the right advice is key during the current outbreak.

The Aboriginal Cultural Support Team can be contacted on 1300 066 055 while Aboriginal Medical Services and NSW Health are also able to answer any questions or point people in the right direction.

"We want to encourage the mob to have yarn with the local Aboriginal medical services and the health services and find out as much as they can and get vaccinated," Trindall added.

In terms of the Waratahs Knockout, plans are already in place for next year.

The 2021 edition of the carnival was due to be the biggest yet with under 16s divisions for the boys and girls added to the schedule.

A sportsman's lunch was also going to be part of the event but it will all now be added to the 2022 schedule.

"We've got a big knockout planned," Thomas Toomey said. "It was going to be a great celebration our western region. Next year we can be out of lockdown together and hopefully we're all safe and it will be bigger and better."

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