The West Wyalong club are ecstatic the event has reached such popularity and a full field of 16 was realised prior to Christmas.

One other club - Wellington Cowboys - are on standby in case of a late withdrawal.

Another three clubs had sent entry forms but later withdrew after discovering they had other commitments on that weekend. This is a situation unheard of in the tournament's history.

The full field is:

Group 11: Forbes Magpies.

Group 10: Blayney Bears, Orange CYMS, Cowra Magpies.

Group 9: South City Bulls, Tumbarumba Greens, Cootamundra Bulldogs, Wagga Brothers, Temora Dragons.

Group 20: West Wyalong, Darlington Point-Coleambally, T L United, Bidgee Hurricanes.

Canberra District League: Woden Valley Rams, Queanbeyan Kangaroos, West Belconnen.

West Wyalong Knockout director Peter Campbell said it was great to see the return of clubs such as Blayney Bears (winners in 1996 and runners-up in 1999) who have been reinstated to first grade in Group 10 this year; Cootamundra (winners in 1999) and Tumbarumba who have not been an entrant for a number of years.

"The draw will be conducted on Wednesday, February 13 and all clubs plus media will be advised immediately," Campbell said.

"Games start on the Friday at 6.30pm with the last game scheduled to kick-off at 10.35pm.

"On the Saturday the quarter-finals start at 5pm and the grand final at 9pm."

Campbell said all matches were 15 minutes each way with time out only for injury.

The emphasis for clubs is to be the first try scorer in their preliminary games as a drawn result could be decided on the first try-scorer - hence a comment made last year "It is like the 20-20 of Rugby League".

All clubs will be battling to win the major prize of $8000 with the runner-up to receive $2000. Defeated semi-finalists receive $500 with defeated quarter-finalists to get $250, which is the return of their nomination fee.

"Even Friday night first round losers are refreshingly rewarded and no one goes home empty handed," Campbell said.