THE battle for bragging rights as the best in the Central West between Group 10 and Group 11 is one that has raged for a long time, and on Saturday at Carrington Park some of the leading graduates from both rugby league competitions will be on display.
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The Canberra Raiders will take on the Penrith Panthers in round nine of the NRL and both teams have links to the area.
Group 10 graduates Jack Wighton (Orange CYMS) and Shannon Boyd (Cowra Magpies) will from part of the Raiders' starting 13.
Wighton will line up at fullback while today's match will mark the 50th NRL appearance for prop Boyd.
When it comes to the Panthers, their link to the Central West comes in the form of two Group 11 products. Former St John's Dubbo star Isaah Yeo forms part of Penrith's second row while lock/utility Tyrone Peachey - a former Wellington Cowboy - will be used off the bench.
Both Peachey and Yeo took part in events in the build up to today's game, visiting Bathurst schools on Thursday after conducting a skills session at the Sportsground on Wednesday afternoon.
It was something that Yeo enjoyed.
"It's a great weekend, it's a great initiative not only from rugby league, but from Penrith Panthers to get in on it as well. So I'm really looking forward to the week ahead and obviously the game," the 195 centimetre, 105 kilogram talent said.
"Obviously grass roots back in the country is a big thing and obviously giving back to the community, especially the Bathurst community because they are right behind us."
While Yeo did not get any game time when the Panthers thumped Gold Coast 40-0 at Carrington Park last year, he has worked hard to become a regular in the starting side.
He took part in 21 games last season, playing the full 80 minutes on 11 occasions, while he averaged 21 tackles per match.
This season Yeo has played in every match for the Panthers, has five try assists and averages 23 tackles and 96 metres per game.
He is hoping for another strong performance this afternoon in his return to the Central West.
"You do try and put a show on for the Bathurst crowds. Hopefully we can come away with a win, we have been in all of our games so far this season," he said. "We just have to focus on our game and hopefully that puts on a good spectacle for the community."