Like all sports in 2020, it has been a season like no other- two different, and extended preseasons, a shortened draw and many new players to the game.

For Parkes coach Mitch Stubberfield, the club's culture has thrived in the different circumstances enforced by the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The culture this year has been the best its been for a while.

"There was a really good vibe around the group and that really started from our strong preseason the boys really got around each other and it only got better as the year went on."

The side was boosted by the inclusion of some older Panthers and recruits from other successful clubs in the region- helping to foster a winning environment and setting the club up well for a big season.

Stubberfield wasn't dreaming of a grand final victory at the start of the season though - but as the season wore on it was obvious the Panthers were building to something special.

"My aim was to get the boys to a competitive level and if we won a few games we might even play finals, but as the season progressed we started to play some really good footy and I thought we had a chance."

The side's development is there for all to see in the fixtures; at the start of the season, they beat the Outlaws by 41 points and lost to the Bushrangers by 13 points.

By the end of the season they had beaten the Outlaws by 125 points and the Bushrangers by 37.

"As the team had never played together before, we expected it would take a couple of games to figure out how each other played, which we did at the right end of the season," says Stubberfield.

The two extended preseasons were a godsend for the club, helping to side to gel and generate a successful style of game.

"A lot of our core group are now second year players, so we were really able to focus on skills and game play.

"We were also able to recruit a few outside players as a lot of other leagues were cancelled...it was very beneficial for us as they brought a lot of experience to the team," says Stubberfield.

It culminated in the best result possible, with the side beating the Cowra Blues by seven points in very windy conditions last Saturday.

"We knew Cowra were going to be physical early on as they have been all year and we just had to absorb it early and get a fast start to give us the best chance later in the game.

"I think the fact that Parkes has had a hard few years, our boys weren't going to let this opportunity slip by," said Stubberfield.

Is this all sounding appealing to you?

The club ran an AFL 9's before the season began which generated a lot of interest and they will be looking to run another competition next year.

You would be mad not to give it a go and see what AFL is all about!