The 2018 Group 11 season shapes as the great unknown for many fans, clubs and players but hopes are high the Parkes Nines tournament will be a perfect curtain-raiser to a new year of action.
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The 2018 draw has been released with the Nines to highlight the pre-season action before the competition proper kicks off on April 29.
The Nines was cancelled last year due to torrential rain at Parkes but Group 11 secretary Paul Loxley said he was confident of a bumper event this year, with the seniors, under 18s and league tag players all to play on March 25.
Most of the Group 11 clubs have undergone significant roster changes during the off-season, with more signings expected in the coming weeks and months, so the Nines will be the first opportunity to see new players in different colours.
As well as that, with Group 11 taking on Group 10 in a representative clash before the season proper kicks off the Nines will also give players the chance to impress selectors.
“It adds to what we’ve already had,” Loxley said on the extra emphasis on the Nines.
“The year before last was really good and we’re putting the word out so we might get some non-Group 11 clubs.”
The focus on the Nines and the fact selectors already have a rough idea of potential Group 11 squads, something Loxley alluded to, is all being done in order to “maximise outcomes in representative games.”
Group 11 will take on Group 10 in seniors, under 23s, under 18s and league tag at Bathurst on April 21.
“We (Group 11 seniors) have beaten them the last three years so we’d love to do it this year after they poached so many of our players,” he said.
Loxley was referring to the fact big-name trio Sam Dwyer, Zac Merritt and Josh Merritt have all departed Group 11 and signed with Bathurst St Pat’s.
They are just some of the players who have left Group 11 during the off-season, leaving many to ponder how 2018 will pan out.
Loxley was adamant the fact so many clubs have had to regenerate their playing rosters makes for exciting viewing.
“I think it’s going to be really good,” he said.
“With the guys who have left, it will be really interesting to see what happens.
“Nyngan will continue to be strong and I think Narromine, Forbes and Parkes will be fine. CYMS is always strong and with Darren Ah-See coming in as president Wellington has regrouped.
“I want every club to walk out of the next (board) meeting knowing everyone has got a fair chance of winning the comp. That’s my goal as Group secretary.”
Two rounds of pre-season trials will be held prior to the season proper with those matches set to be played on the weekend of April 15 and April 22.
The 2018 Group 11 season starts on April 29 with Dubbo CYMS opening its premiership by welcoming the Narromine Jets to Apex Oval.
Fans have to wait until round seven for a grand final rematch between the Fishies and the Nyngan Tigers while the first Dubbo derby of the season comes in round four with Westside playing host to Macquarie.
Narromine faces a tricky start to the season, taking on last season’s grand finalists in the opening two rounds before a trip to Wellington’s Kennard Park.
Nyngan has three away games in the first four rounds while CYMS will finish the season with three games at Dubbo.
There will be general byes on both the Queen’s Birthday long weekend on June 10 as well as the weekend of July 29.
There was a second bye last season as all clubs had the weekend of Country-City Origin match at Mudgee and Loxley stated the board decided to keep a bye in the middle of the season to allow players to not only deal with fatigue but also a chance to spend time with their families.
STARTING STRONG
Each club’s first month of 2018
Dubbo CYMS: Narromine (H), Parkes (A), Forbes (A), Wellington (H)
Nyngan Tigers: Wellington (H), Narromine (A), Westside (A), Parkes (A)
Forbes Magpies: Westside (H), Macquarie (A), CYMS (H), Narromine (A)
Parkes Spacemen: Macquarie (H), CYMS (H), Wellington (A), Nyngan (H)
Macquarie Raiders: Parkes (A), Forbes (H), Narromine (H), Westside (A)
Narromine Jets: CYMS (A), Nyngan (H), Macquarie (A), Forbes (H)
Wellington Cowboys: Nyngan (A), Westside (H), Parkes (H), CYMS (A)
Dubbo Westside: Forbes (A), Wellington (A), Nyngan (H), Macquarie (H)
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
