Dubbo’s Macquarie Raiders underlined the strong ties between Australia’s Indigenous Culture and Rugby League, when they hosted the Forbes Magpies at Apex Oval last weekend.
The Raiders not only won the match 40-14 they celebrated the Tubbagah People of the Wiradjuri Nation by wearing a special Indigenous Round jersey.
As a Peter McDonald Premiership club with many Indigenous players, the club also teamed up with REDI.E (Regional Enterprise Development Institute) - an Aboriginal-run company that works to support communities in the area.
This meant the club could host small Indigenous businesses on the day, showcasing traditional Aboriginal dances, a Smoking ceremony, and a Welcome to Country.
"It is extremely important we celebrate Indigenous Round, and it was a very special day," said Macquarie Raiders President Jarryd Meredith.
"A large contingent of our players are First Nation people, and they have contributed to our club over a long period of time, and it's important to celebrate that throughout the year and make those players feel welcome and appreciated.
"It's not just the players either, and it's their extended family, friends, and the community, and on Sunday, we could celebrate that proud culture."
Dubbo's Indigenous Round doubled as Round 11 of the Peter McDonald Premiership (PMP), and supporters were treated to some stirring contests.
In the game of the day, the First-Grade match had Macquarie defeat Forbes 40-14, with the Raiders keeping their finals hopes alive. But the loss consigned the Magpies to a bottom-two finish and potential wooden spoon.
Forbes matched motors with Dubbo in the first half and led 14-12 at the break, but the home side scored four unanswered tries in the second to secure the 26-point victory.
"It's getting to the pointy end of the season, and our players were well aware of what a win over Forbes meant," Meredith said.
The fifth-placed Raiders are still one win outside the top-four, but it's been a remarkable turnaround for the Dubbo side.
Macquarie won just one game in the opening six rounds but are now three wins from their past five to be hammering on the door for a place in the finals.
"I have always had full belief in our side," Meredith said.
"They had a rough start to the first part of the season, with a few suspensions and injuries hurting us, but I feel like we have turned a corner, especially at the back end of the season.
"We are starting to get some consistency, and they can certainly make the top-four and give the whole competition a shake."
Dubbo actually meets fourth-placed Nyngan Tigers at Larkin Oval on Sunday (23 July).
It could be make-or-break for the Raiders, who then have a bye ahead of tough fixtures against Parkes (away) and Wellington (home) to round out the regular season.
In other Round 11 PMP contests played over the weekend, Orange Hawks beat Lithgow Wolves 30-20 to move to second on the Group 10 ladder.
Panthers won the Bathurst derby, upsetting St Pat's 26-14, and Mudgee reaffirmed their status as the team to beat in Group 10, knocking over Orange CYMS 44-4.
Wellington scored the upset of the round, knocking off Dubbo CYMS 20-18 and Nyngan bounced back defeating Parkes Spacemen 49-30.
Round 12 draw: Dubbo CYMS v Parkes Spacemen at Apex Oval, Nyngan Tigers v Macquarie Raiders at Larkin Oval, Forbes Magpies v Wellington Cowboys at Spooner Oval.
Group 11 ladder: Dubbo CYMS 18, Parkes 16, Wellington 12, Nyngan 11, Macquarie Raiders 9, Forbes 6.
Group 10 ladder: Mudgee 18, Orange Hawks 14, Bathurst St Pat's 12, Bathurst Panthers 10, Lithgow Wolves 4, Orange CYMS 2.
