THIS weekend's cancellation of AFL Central West action has denied Bathurst Giants a chance to claim back-to-back derby victories but it has at least taken them a step closer to the team's first ever senior men's minor premiership.
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The Orange lockdown forced the competition to cancel all of this weekend's senior and junior grades, which in a positive side-effect has preserved their two-game lead at the top of the men's standings.
Giants were backing themselves to best the Bushies again this Saturday - which would have virtually ensured first place would be theirs at the end of the regular season - but coach Mark Kennedy said the right call was made to put a line through this weekend's action.
"There were originally going to move our games to Cowra but I think it's a common sense decision to call the round off and wait to see what happens in Orange," he said.
"Hopefully they can get on top of things over the next week and we can play on after that.
"Our grounds weren't available this weekend due to the damage done by the rain so I think it was always going to be hard to get this round played anyway.
"At the end of the day it's only footy. People's health and safety are paramount when making these decisions - and I think AFL Central West have made a good decision."
Giants currently lead the way in both the men's and women's senior competitions, with their women still unbeaten through 10 games, and their under 17s are also yet to taste defeat in 2021.
Kennedy said it's exciting to see the club as a whole in such a strong position with just over a month left until finals begin.
"The club all round has had some really great successes. Our women's team are going well and it's been great to get a tier two men's team in, plus our juniors are playing fantastic," he said.
"We're just really proud of the way our club has built up over the last six to seven years. We're really looking forward to taking it into the future, and our 10 year anniversary is only just around the corner - so look out."
Giants will now have their next game against Dubbo, where they'll look to end the Demons' winning streak.
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