The announcement from Tooheys New Group 11 secretary Bob Walsh comes after Apex Oval successfully hosted an A-League soccer trial between Central Coast Mariners and Wellington Phoenix last month.

Walsh confirmed both clubs will field at least 90 per cent of their top 25 players in what will be the last trial before the official start of the season for both sides.

The last time Apex Oval hosted a major rugby league match was the Country versus City Origin match on May 12, 2006.

Current Bulldogs media manager Frank Barrett was in the management team for Country at the time and was influential in pushing the idea for a game in Dubbo, which is the home town of Bulldogs captain Andrew Ryan.

For further details see Friday’s Daily Liberal.