What could have been?
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It's a question the Canowindra Tigers are still asking themselves after the premature halt to the 2021 Woodbridge Cup season.
Sitting on top of the competition ladder going into the final match of the season the Tigers went down to Eugowra, costing the side the minor premiership in its 100th year.
Within days the COVID-19 situation became worse and the Woodbridge season was abandoned.
Rather than dwell on the season's ending the Canowindra Tigers have started the build up for the 2022.
The Tigers this month resigned three marquee players, Aaron Earsman, Ron Lawrence and Nathan Whatman.
They have also secured a major sponsor for 2022, the Canowindra Bowling Club.
Coach Kevin Grimshaw was in Canowindra earlier this month to ensure the nucleus of his 2021 side would turn out in Tigers colours again in 2022.
Lawrence, who captained the Tigers in 2021, said he was more than happy to stay with the club.
"I'm 32 next year and I think my first grade days are past," Lawrence said.
It's a statement many would disagree with.
2021 was a very successful year for fellow signing Nathan Whatman who was named the Woodbridge Cup Player of the Year and Top Try Scorer.
He was also the Canowindra club's Best and Fairest.
The club's third major signing Aaron Earsman has been a mainstay of the club for the past 10 seasons.
"I just went home to Canowindra and thought it would be a good idea to talk to the local guys and make sure they were all keen to play again," Grimshaw said.
While Grimshaw says the players aren't being signed in any particular order, he did admit the three signings are signficant.
"You take Nathan for example, Woodbridge player of the year, a front rower, they're hard to get. I am sure he had offers elsewhere but decided to stay loyal to Canowindra.
"A bloke like Aaron, he's been playing 10 years and hasn't won a competition so he's eager for the season to be carried out."
With the job only half finished in season 2021 the club is definitely taking the approach that "unfinished business" needs completing.
"That's our motto, the job's not done yet," Grimshaw said.
"Everyone's back on board except Blake (Duncombe) who has gone back to Cowra which we understand fully.
"He wants to play in first in the McDonald Cup. Ace did a lot for him coming up as a junior."
The only other loss for the Tigers so far is Rob Byrne who has retired.
A pick up for the club is former junior Jayden Browne.
"He was at Mudgee, he played Group 10 from Mudgee last year. He was originally a Canowindra junior and is keen to come back, he replaces one.
"It's looking good again, everyone is as keen as mustard.
"Obviously the key signing is Ronnie, he's the gel for us, he holds everyone together because of his experience and what he has done in the game.
he's the gel for us, he holds everyone together
- Tigers coach Kevin Grimshaw on the importance of Ron Lawrence to the club.
"To have him on board is really good for us.
"You talk about attracting players, a front rower of Ronnie's ability, a lot of young players would want to play with him just to learn," Grimshaw said.
The coach also thanked the Canowindra Bowling Club for its ongoing support of the club.
"They're running with the same motto as us, there's unfinished business," he said.