And so is Cowra and that’s infectious. 

Cowra securing a home game Group 10 grand final is just the shot we needed. 

Already there was a sniff of better times ahead… conditions have been good for rural industries, events and festivals have been well supported of late and small business seemed to be getting a few breaks. 

To me at least, people are looking ahead to spring with hope and a sense of achievement. 

Now, that positivity has ramped up in just 24 hours as the realisation sinks in that thousands of  rugby league supporters will descend upon us in two weeks time for the region’s grand final.

I can’t count the amount of times yesterday and today people have stopped to talk to me about when the Cowra Magpies last reached the grand finals.

We’ve had poems handed in to us. 

Meetings to plan special commemorative editions. 

Ideas for competitions, stories, ‘did you know’ questions and more ‘I remember when’ stories than I thought possible (ok, that one was slightly exaggerated).

We’ve even heard Cowra could be sold out of white crepe paper already (surely that’s just a rumour). 

This grand final is more than just a game of footy for Cowra. 

It’s about a country town showing the rest of the region we can match it with the best of them and punch well and truly above our weight. 

Yes, there are a lot of codes in finals at the moment. Yes, there are a lot of sports that deserve attention. 

But if not for anything else but to support your community and foster a collective positive campaign to keep Cowra moving forward, we ask you to get behind the Magpies in their push to win the Group 10 grand final. 

During the next two weeks, we’ll be doing our bit too here at the Cowra Guardian. 

#Goswoopers. 

janine.finlayson@fairfaxmedia.com.au