The annual Group 11 Parkes Nines is this Sunday and will whet the appetite of fans ahead of the season proper starting on April 28.
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Parkes has hosted the tournament since its inception in 2015, except for 2017 when it was cancelled due to torrential rain.
Spacemen president Joe Spicer said one or two teams have been missing from the line up in the last couple of years but this weekend all sides will be represented.
"We've also got Bourke coming in for all groups and Orange Hawks are contesting the girls, so that will give us a bit bigger competition than we've had in the past," he said.
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The tournament will be held across Pioneer, Northparkes and Spicer ovals, with the first games getting underway at 9am.
Clubs have been split into three pools - named after Dennis Moran, David Peachey and Andrew Ryan - and matches will be played in juniors, seniors, and league tag.
All finals will be played on Pioneer - league tag at 2.20pm, juniors at 2.40pm and seniors at 3pm, with the presentation following at the Coachman Hotel Motel.
Spicer said the event traditionally acts as selection trials for reps but things have changed this year.
"They've moved the representative games later into the season," he said.
"Where they used to have them within the next fortnight, they've been moved back to June and July to use the start of the season for the rep selection.
"It'll probably make this tournament more fun and relaxed."
Spicer also high hopes for the home side.
"I think the players have seen the value of having a fresh set of eyes and a different approach under new (first grade) coach Brent Wood," he said.
Dubbo CYMS is not expected to be at full strength due to half Alex Bonham having his wedding the day before while Wellington may also have played missing due to a trial game against Oberon being played on Saturday.
Matches start from 9am on Sunday.