I've been a bit quiet for a couple of weeks....apologies to those that are interested in Central West Rugby. The regular season is now done and dusted for 2024 with the finals kick off next weekend. The ladder finished up like this:
Bathurst Bulldogs (64 points) clear minor premiers and raging hot favourites to take home the choccies in 2024. Finished the year with a couple of losses in the past month (Forbes and Orange City) but spanked the poor old Cowra Eagles in the final round 85-26 in a 13 tries to 4 performance. The premiership is theirs to lose and they will be very hard to beat in coming weeks with a home ground advantage. Also finished on top of the table in 2nd grade and Colts.
Orange Emus (48) managed to get themselves into 2nd place on the ladder in the last couple of weeks but finished the season with a 27-19 loss to cross town rivals Orange City which will not sit well with the Green Army. Have had a bit of a disjointed year with injuries but I think the only team that could potentially upset Bulldogs if they can get the right team on the paddock.
Forbes Platypi (41) finished third and the big improvers in season 2024 having finished dead last in 2023. Have had some struggles in recent weeks with injuries, absentees, and suspensions but finished the season with a 43-31 win over Dubbo Roos in Dubbo. Always hard to beat at home and will enjoy that home ground advantage this weekend against Orange City as they look to move into the 2nd week of the semis.
Orange City (38) enjoyed the best finish of the season of any team in the comp as they finished with 5 wins on the trot, including wins against the top 3 sides in the past 3 weeks. They are playing with confidence and anything is possible for them as they head into the semis but I don't think they have the cattle to go all the way, however, they are building nicely and 2025 could be a different beast!
Cowra Eagles (26) finished 5th in 2024. A very proud club with a rich history and a team that can stick it to anyone in the comp on their day, especially at home. Probably lacked some depth this year which is always hard to build in the smaller towns, where strong employment opportunities are harder to come by, therefore making it hard to attract quality players to town. Hopefully they can build as they start looking towards 2025.
Dubbo Roos (17) are unfortunately the wooden spooners for 2024. Another very proud club with a strong rugby history in the Central West. Certainly not a year to remember in 1st grade with only 3 wins (Cowra twice and Orange City once). Quite a young side who, with some good guidance from the right people, should continue to get stronger in coming years. At a club level 2nd grade finished 2nd, 3rd grade 1st, and colts finished 3rd.
Good luck to all teams, right through the grades, as we head into the first round of the semi-finals this weekend.