Don’t forget the forfeits, team withdrawals as well and coaches walking out in the pre-season – and that’s without any snow to wreak havoc, yet.

But one thing out of the 2016 Group 10 premiership race is for certain – the footy on the field is as close as it’s ever been.

Just one competition point – and tiny percentage margins – separates competition leaders Oberon (16 points, +84) from the fourth-placed, defending premiers Orange CYMS (15 points, +120).

Between them in second and third respectively sit Bathurst clubs St Pat’s (16 points, +76) and Panthers (15 points, +121).

With eight rounds remaining in the regular season, the race for the minor premiership, president Linore Zamparini says, has never been closer.

“Oh yeah,” Zamparini hyped, Mudgee and Blayney – both on 12 points – are also locked in a battle for fifth on the ladder.

“This is the closest I’ve seen the competition. Any given year, there’s always three teams contending and then a few others that make up the top five.

“There’s six or seven teams in the finals race this year and I don’t know who’ll win the minor premiership. It’s wide open.”

He’s not wrong either.

Last year after 10 rounds, CYMS led the competition clear by four points – fourth placed Mudgee was six points adrift from the top of the ladder.

At the same time in 2014, eight points separated Mudgee (first) and CYMS (fourth) while in 2013, minor premiership leaders Orange Hawks had a massive nine point buffer between themselves and fourth, also CYMS that year.

In fact, this year’s title race is the closest since 2012, when, after round 10, two points was the difference between the competition’s top four sides.

Zamparini was predictably chuffed with the closeness of the premiership race to date and said the biggest factor over the back half of the season will more than likely be injuries.

More so, who handles those injuries the best.

“That’s always the toughest thing,” Zamparini said.

“Everyone from just about every club was talking up their chances ahead of the season.

“I think everything has just fallen into place, particularly for a club like Panthers. They’ve built over a number of years and they’re now in a position to content. It’s great to see.”

It all adds up to some cracking footy as the season’s finals looms large, with the next best clash the Panthers-St Pat’s derby in round 12.

“Hopefully it’ll mean some big crowds too. By and large crowds have been up this season, which is a positive sign,” Zamparini added.