The Griffith Blacks were gearing up for the season where they hoped they could make the step to the top after two seasons of positive progression.
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However, the COVID-19 lockdown has put a hold on those hopes after Rugby Australia's decision to extend their ban all rugby activity until June 1.
Blacks coach Craig Morriss said it was a shame the season couldn't get underway knows there are more significant priorities.
"It is like everyone else in the other codes, it is second fiddle to making sure you are putting food on the table and that your family and community is safe," he said.
"That has to be everyone's number one priority at this stage."
Morriss was confident that if the season gets underway that his side will be right up there after a number of successful seasons as the club rebuilds after a couple of tough seasons.
"There has been such an upswell in the club over the last couple of years that this was going to take us to the pinnacle," he said.
"We were still generating that good positive environment, and things were on the up, and I thought this year we probably could have gone close to nailing it and we still could. If we have a half-season, it would just be a different dynamic."
The club has adapted to the fact the players aren't able to train together with a number of senior players leading the way.
"We have been pretty lucky as a club we have a lot of senior leaders who have been implementing training programs for people to do at home," he said.
"We also have the junior players Facetime the senior players in their position."
Morriss does feel that getting any football this season will be a bonus but also has concerns about the timing of the season.
I think it will be a bonus if we get to play any footy this year, but we have to be positive and have something to look forward to," he said.
"Footy plays a big part in people's lives no matter what the code. It is a good outlet for the supporters and spectators and for some people it is their whole life.
"I just think that if it doesn't start till August or September and we are going into October and November it goes across a few different seasons (farming) for people who work out here, and that could cause a bit of a headache."
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