REIGNING AFL Central West (AFLCW) Division 2 champions, the Parkes Panthers, are shaping up very nicely for a tilt at the flag after the AFLCW season was launched in Parkes on Sunday with a round robin competition.
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AFLCW Football Operations Manager, Casey White, was thrilled Parkes were able to host the gala day, giving one of the league's smaller clubs a massive boost.
"The season launch round robin competition was an opportunity to promote the game in Parkes and make it a really positive day for the community and for the league in general," he said after Sunday's fixtures had wrapped up.
It was the perfect way to launch the season off the back of a COVID-19 affected year that has meant a later starting time than usual.
"It came about from a lot of our clubs not being able to hold preseason matches at their grounds due to other sports, and season starting later, there was an opportunity to get some content in and get some games of footy.
"It's been a big day, the standard has been incredible - to get all our men's teams here with close to full strength sides and the women's able to send plenty of players as well has been awesome.
When ask to nominate who stood out, White, with a rye smile on his face, had to admit the home side were the ones to watch.
"I've actually been really impressed with the Parkes team.
"The teams in Tier 1, we expect them to be good; but for Parkes to come up against those sides and be competitive throughout the day has been exciting for both them and for the overall strength of the league," White side.
In the women's competition, it was the slick Bathurst Giants army of orange that stood out.
"For the women, I've been very impressed with the Bathurst Giants - they brought out a full strength side and their willingness to support these events shows a great club culture."
White has also flagged both a men's and women's representative fixture against the AFL Sapphire Coast down in Nowra at the end of June, which will give players all over the Central West something to strive for in the coming months.
From a Panthers perspective, despite losing a number of players from their 2020 premiership winning spine, the side looks to be the one to beat again after gaining some quality players.
The ball movement has been slick and the side looked really strong overhead; while the women, despite not having a full side available, were able to tackle with gusto and slam home a few goals.
For more information on the Parkes Panthers, head to: www.facebook.com/ParkesPanthers/
There's still two weeks until round 1 so there is still plenty of time to sign up for a club - for more information, head to www.aflcentralwest.com.au/.
