A huge crowd is expected to be at Apex Oval for the game on Saturday night February 27 with both clubs expected to field full-strength sides.

It will will be their last hit-out before the start of the NRL season on the weekend of March 13-16.

Group 11, under the leadership of newly elected president Ross McDermott and secretary Bob Walsh, is breaking new ground as promoter of the game.

Walsh said planning for the game was progressing well with many advantages for everyone concerned.

“We have kept the ticket pricing to an absolute minimum, we have one of the best football grounds in country New South Wales at our disposal, and just as important, we have two attractive teams coming here to play the game,” he said.

“Six of our eight Group 11 clubs will be helping with ticket sales and they in turn have the ability to earn good money for their clubs, while the Dubbo and Lachlan Valley (Parkes) junior leagues will also be involved.

“CYMS and Macquarie will be looking after the catering.”

Walsh confirmed that ticket prices would be $30 for reserve grandstand seats and $20 in the outer.

The cost for age pensioners and students will be $10.

They are still waiting for the tickets to be printed and Daily Liberal readers will be notified when they will be available.

What we do know is that the Dubbo RSL Club will continue its long involvement in rugby league and will be the main point of sale in Dubbo.

Dubbo CYMS and Macquarie Raiders will man the food and refreshments outlets while the other six Group 11 sides will be allocated tickets to sell and as a result could earn up to $5000 from the game profits.

Dubbo and District Junior Rugby League will sell the game doubles and Lachlan Valley Junior League will have raffles.

Walsh said the project was one that could have a long-term influence on the out-of-town clubs especially.

“It is getting hardly and harder for our clubs to survive and that is one of the reasons why Group 11 took on this project,” Walsh said.

“If all the clubs get involved in the ticket sales as planned and provide ushers to work in the grandstand, then they can earn good money, money that they would struggle to make in a short time in their own towns.

“The other aspect of the ticket sales is that we will be encouraging people to buy tickets as Christmas presents.

“Because CYMS and Macquarie have the ability to draw bigger numbers of workers, they will be responsible for food and drinks and that will be a big job with an anticipated big crowd.