Even captain-coach Aidan Ryan, who missed the game through injury, allowed himself a grin at full time after his Cowboys ran out 60-14 winners over Dubbo Westside in the opening game of the official Group 11 trials.

Boom recruits Justin Toomey-White and AJ Davis were two of the standouts, the former bagging a hat-trick while the latter steered the new-look side around the park with aplomb.

But there was also plenty to like about local junior Will Lousick at fullback, who staked his case for a spot in the Western Rams under 23s side, while Ryan also got plenty of minutes out of players off the bench.

“We just need to fix up a bit of the discipline but the attack if definitely there,” Ryan said.

“It was good to see AJ and Justin in maroon and white and I was pretty impressed.

“AJ steered the ship really well and we know Justo is hard to tackle and there was still a few fellas out, too.”

While the Wellington performance was the main talking point and the final margin was a dominant one, there was plenty of reason for Westside fans to feel positive about their side’s hopes this season.

New captain-coaches Claude Gordon and Matt Naden sat off two of the four 20 minute quarters to cast their eye over proceedings and both were left impressed by the discipline and commitment.

“When the fatigue set in they forgot it all a little, it all goes out the door but the effort is there and all that stuff that doesn’t require talent,” Gordon said.

“That’s what we’re trying to improve on and we’re getting there.”

The numbers also pleased Gordon and it was a real opportunity for he and Naden to have a look at a much-changed Rabbitohs outfit.

The size up front is an issue, with no standout leader of the forward pack, but there’s a huge amount of attacking spark with Gordon and Naden starting in the halves and being complimented by the likes of Daryl Cubby at fullback, Paul Jones Jnr and Brayden Peachey partnering Kurt Beahan on the left edge.

“Kempy (hooker Daryl Kemp) was good out of dummyhalf and in defence,” Gordon added.

“We were patchy in attack and it comes down to game time. When we string a few games together we’ll start getting it right.”​

But there was no doubt the highlight of the night was the performance of the Cowboys, which would have no doubt made others side sit up and take note after so much off-season hype.

Making the win more impressive is the fact former NSW Origin player Nathan Merritt missed the game, as did Ryan, C J Ralph and Reggie Saunders.

Elsewhere on the weekend, Forbes downed Parkes 32-10 at Spooner Oval on Friday night while Sunday saw defending premiers Dubbo CYMS record a 54-22 win at Narromine and Macquarie scored a confidence-boosting victory at Nyngan.