FOR Nick Collins, the timing of Canberra's lockdown couldn't have been much worse.
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The co-captain of Mangoplah-Cookardinia United-Eastlake is one of five Goannas players based in the capital currently stranded by the city's lockdown.
After initially being put into lockdown for a week, the ACT on Monday extended it a further two weeks until September 2, which rules Collins, ruckman Sam De Sousa, Dom Bunyan, Ryan Turnbull and Christian Palombi out for at least the next two weekends.
Collins has been at the club since 2019 and is desperate to help lead the club to a first flag since 1993.
The Goannas (13-2) are second on percentage to Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong, with hopes the final round can be played on Sunday should the NSW statewide lockdown end at midnight Saturday.
"It is what it is, we've just go to work through it," Collins said.
"We're optimistic. At the moment Canberra is only in lockdown until early September, which gives us some hope that we will play in finals.
"It is a case of staying mentally strong. But because of where the group is at and the possibility of trying to take the group to a first premiership in 28 years, that's the drive.
"If that wasn't that dangling in front of you, you probably wouldn't want to push yourself as much. The conversation is the same with the Canberra boys as the local boys, our desire to end that 28-year hoodoo is just as strong."
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Although they bounced back from two losses in three weeks with a 70-point win over Collingullie-Glenfield Park, the potential loss of the Canberra recruits would be a hammer blow for their flag hopes.
Collins said the quintet will train at home assuming they will be back on deck in the first weekend of September.
"We love being a part of the club and love where it's at. We're just doing everything we can to make sure we stay fit and ready to go, so we're able to jump straight back in," he said.
"As long as we abide by all the rules, I'm super optimistic and hopeful we'll be able to get back down there. This being my third year at the club and being co-captain, it creates that excitement.
"It (lockdown extension) popped up in our group chat and everyone was like 'crap', but we're not in this alone, there's a few of us who can keep each other motivated.
Fingers crossed it doesn't extend any further, Canberrans can stick together and do the right thing."
Collins was hopeful the big win over the Demons showcased the Goannas turning the corner at the right time.
"It's a long season and you'll have these ups and downs, but from all reports we were back to our best on the weekend," Collins said.
"It's about hitting the ground running when we're all able to get back on the track.
"We hadn't been playing our best, but we had the structures and belief in place we'd get there."
The Goannas are due to travel to Leeton-Whitton in the final round.
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