"It's a disappointing season. There's no other way to put it."
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That's the view of Oberon Tigers player-coach Josh Starling after his side's failure to reach Group 10 premier league finals football.
Tigers put up a strong fight in Sunday's last game of the season against the finals-bound Bathurst Panthers and went into the sheds only down 6-4 thanks to Starling's try close to the siren.
However, Oberon's defensive discipline wavered in the new half and they never recovered, losing 28-10.
It was another match to add to a lengthy list of games where the Tigers troubled quality opponents but couldn't put the match away.
"Suspensions and injuries definitely didn't help but we're not going to blame that for how we went," Starling said.
"We were definitely in games and we play every game to win, no matter who is in the team or who is out."
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Tigers took down eventual finalists Cowra Magpies and Lithgow Workies earlier in the season but close, back-to-back losses against Orange Hawks and Workies later in the year would prove costly.
Those results prove Oberon had what it took to reach the top five in 2019, and several of their stars stood tall during the closing game on Sunday.
"Jackson Brien always leaves everything out there, as does Abel [Lefaoseu] and Jake Dawe. Blake Fitzpatrick was also great. It's those same boys putting in the effort every week," Starling said.
"Unfortunately we sometimes just fall asleep for 15 minutes and that's where it gets away from us."