Parkes Boars players Luke Bevan, Erica Stevenson and Cailin Westcott have been picked in the squad, while 2020 Boars players Rusi and Paulini Lawanikula and Joe Nash have also been selected.

As Oxley gathered his squad in Dubbo on Sunday for one last training session, they did so in the presence of the Caldwell Cup trophy they won in 2019.

It's a trophy that Oxley is intent on retaining and believes that can be achieved if his Blue Bulls can have the confidence showcase their skills.

"One thing I don't like when I see players with ability is them not having the confidence to take control of a match or a game," the Bathurst-based coach said.

"We are not a one-dimensional team, I don't coach those types of football teams...I want them to have the confidence to go out and really express that.

"The skill is how we blend all that together and make a really champion team. So when the opportunity is available, I need them to take control of that moment and not second-guess themselves."

Oxley was the man who coached the Blue Bulls to Caldwell Cup glory in 2019, the Central West outfit bettering then defending champions Illawarra 45-21 in the decider.

It was the first time in nine years Central West had been crowned champions of the top tier Country Championships competition and the 13^th time overall since the zone first won the Caldwell Cup in 1956.

OXLEY has searched right across the Central West zone for this year's Blue Bulls squad and has assembled a playing unit which not only features experienced talents, but emerging ones as well.

There's a number of faces from the successful 2019 unit including Bathurst Bulldogs duo Peter Fitzsimmons and Justin Mobbs, Forbes flyhalf Mahe Fangupo, the man who scored two tries in the decider in Dubbo centre Filisone Pauta plus halfback Shahid Khalfan.

When Khalfan was plucked from Harden's ranks two years ago he went on to be named player of the tournament. He now plays his club rugby in the Blowes Cup for Orange Emus.

Five of the six Blowes Cup clubs - Bathurst Bulldogs, Orange Emus, Orange City, Dubbo Kangaroos and Forbes Platypi - have players in the squad as do New Holland Cup clubs CSU, Parkes and Mudgee.

"I'm loving the fact we have a large zone, the geographical challenge is always going to be there, but we can pick rough diamonds from all over the place," said Oxley.

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WHILE there is talent right across Oxley's squad, there are four men in particular he is excited to see in action over the weekend.

Bathurst Bulldogs' winger Adam Plummer, who has scored four tries in the past fortnight, is one of them.

"He's in red hot form," Oxley said. "I coached him in the Country 20s and I'm sure he'd like to translate to a Country Cockatoos jumper. He's a great example of confidence ... he's just on fire and he has to have the ball in his hands."

Joe Nash, who won premierships with Parkes and Bulldogs and is now playing with the Dubbo Roos is another Oxley's keen to see in action. He'll start at fullback.

"He was a Country trialist two years ago but didn't make it through to the Country squad, he's super keen to try and get that jumper. He's been a big supporter of the Blue Bulls and we'd love to see him get that reward.

"Then there's Charlie Henley, Emus' hooker...and Dubbo's Will Archer, he's also going to have his first season for the Blue Bulls and he's a damaging ball runner and we need him."

AS the defending champions, Central West has the easiest draw of any of the of the five zones hoping to claim Caldwell Cup glory in Tamworth.

Illawarra will face Hunter in round one while Central Coast squares off with Far North Coast.

Central West won't play their first game until 1.20pm Saturday - they'll face the best of the losers from that first round. Win that clash and they'll advance to the decider at 2.20pm Sunday.

"We really have benefitted from that hard work of 2019, it means we only play the one game on the Saturday where the other teams in the top tier have to play two games," Oxley said.

"We get the advantage, there's not doubt about it. If we get through that first game our recovery will be easier than the other team that makes it through."

1. Charlie French (Forbes), 2. Charlie Henley (Emus), 3. Josh Tremain (Orange City), 4. Justin Mobbs (Bathurst), 5. Tom Macleay (Forbes), 6. Will Archer (Dubbo), 7. Cameron Stanley (Cootamundra), 8. Peter Fitzsimmons (Bathurst), 9. Shahid Khalfan (Emus), 10. Mahe Fangupo (Forbes), 11. Harry Webber (Bathurst), 12. Lachie Harris (Emus), 13. Filisone Pauta (Dubbo), 14. Adam Plummer (Bathurst), 15. Joe Nash (Dubbo), 16. Rusi Lawanikula (Forbes), 17. Lamarn Ma'a (CSU), 18. Gus Foster (Cootamundra), 19. Hamish Kaveney (Young), 20. Charlie Brown (Harden), 21. Lachy Brown (Mudgee), 22. Miniti Tonga (Forbes), 23. Luke Bevan (Parkes), 24. Sione Naufahua (Bathurst), 25. Lachlan Buckton (CSU).

1. Marita Shoulders (Bathurst), 2. Ebony Fenton (Bathurst), 3. Amy Townsend (Forbes), 4. Shae Annis-Brown (Emus), 5. Melissa Waterford (Captain, Bathurst), 6. Jean Lilwood (Dubbo), 7. Jacky Lyden (Emus), 8. Helen Blackmore (Mudgee), 9. Bridie McClure (Emus), 10. Kate Gullifer (Bathurst), 11. Jacinta Cooper (CSU), 12. Paulini Lawanikula (Forbes), 13. Olivia Creswick (Dubbo), 14) Erica Stevenson (Parkes), 15. Claudia McLaren (Vice captain, Bathurst), 16. Molly Kennedy (Bathurst), 17. Becky O'Connor (Young), 18. Karina Kiley (Emus), 19. Brydie Comisky (Bathurst), 20. Savannah Dimmock (Dubbo), 21. Caitlin James (CSU), 22. Cailin Westcott Parkes), 23. Jacinta Windsor (Bathurst), 24. Lala LauTaimi (Mudgee), 25. Holly Jones (Lions).

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