The biggest game of the Central West AFL women's season to date is on Saturday as the undefeated Bathurst Giants host the second-placed Orange Tigers, but the clash is about more than the four points.
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Far, far more.
Both clubs will pause to remember former Tigers vice-captain Katrina Hobby in the two clubs' second memorial game for the fearless leader.
Hobby was one of the founding member of the Tigers' women's side, lining up alongside Kay in the inaugural game in 2015, but died in November 2017 following a two-year battle with cervical cancer - leaving behind two young children.
It's still pretty raw for me ... I took a long time to grieve.
- Former Tigers skipper Jayarna Kay
Hobby's brother, Brody Field, will umpire the women's clash instead of playing for the Giants, while her son Connor is playing with juniors.
Hobby's step-father Scott Traves also played for the club, and he'll be hosting the post-game fundraiser, too.
Hobby's former skipper Jayarna Kay, once at the Tigers and was one of the Giants' players last year, said the Saturday was about honouring the teammate and friend known as 'VC'.
Kay said during Hobby's cancer fight the vice-captain would still attend as many Tigers games as she could, and messaging support when she couldn't, and always looking forward to the day she could step onto the field again.
The day never game.
"She was actually looking like she was coming back but then we found out she was terminal and that was pretty upsetting," Kay said.
"It's still pretty raw for me ... I took a long time to grieve.
"VC was a close friend as well, on the field I was captain and she was vice-captain, but off the field, our kids went to the same school and are really close.
Kay said the impact Hobby had on what was at the time a male-dominated sport in the Central West couldn't be understated.
"She was one of the foundation members of the Tigers and had a real go get 'em attitude," Kay said.
"She was all about empowering women to play the game, to play with respect and fairness but also she'd say 'let's go out there and kick their arses'."
Kay was a member of the side last year but due to pregnancy has been on the sidelines.
She said the stakes for the match were high for the AFLCW season.
"It'll be a massive game, we're going in still undefeated but that's what we did last year and the Tigers came out on top," Kay said.
"It'll come down to (the game's) significance, some of the Tigers girls played with Katrina and they'll play with all their heart."
First bounce for the Katrina Hobby shield is at 12.30pm at George Park, with the men's game to follow from 2.30pm.
A fundraiser for a trust fund for Hobby's children Connor and Paeton will follow both games, with businesses in Bathurst and Orange - Dedicated Fitness, Inside Outside, Macquarie Medi Spa, Scentsy, Willoughby's and Spotlight -all contributing to the fundraiser.
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