While excited for this weekend's Premiers Challenge and the "spectacle" of the west's best doing battle, Gerry 'Chicka' Merritt feels the timing of the fixtures stunts its appeal somewhat.
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Dubbo CYMS coach Merritt will be without "five or six" of his league tag premiership-winning players for Sunday's meeting with the Group 10 champions, Bathurst St Pat's.
The league tag battle has the potential to be the highlight of Sunday's meetings between the Group 11 and Group 10 premiers at Wellington's Kennard Park.
The chance to bring thew two competitions together is something Merritt thinks needs to happen regularly, but added it's disappointing his side won't be at its very best.
Captain Nic Grose and Group 11 player of the year Alahna Ryan headline those missing, with work and other commitments taking priority this time of year.
"That's the unfortunate thing, we won't be at full strength," Merritt said, his side having beaten Forbes 24-4 in the recent Group 11 decider.
"St Pat's could still be celebrating and they might be missing a few too and that would be unfortunate.
"We can't put our best side out and I would love to show out best side in a spectacle like this.
"I think the timing could be better."
Merritt added his feeling were pre-season would be a better time for the match but his opinion hasn't affected his desire to win on Sunday.
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The Fishies might be under strength but they played a number of games during their undefeated 2019 campaign without regulars and numerous players in the squad have the ability to fill various positions.
That will be on show on Sunday as Emily Caton reverts to fullback, Taneka Todhunter slots into the centres in place of Grace Pilon, and Skye Crawford has the job of replacing the influential Grose at hooker.
Cass Toomey will also start the game, having made a real impact from the bench during much of the Group 11 season.
"I've got every confidence in my girls that they will put on a good show for Group 11 and country footy," Merritt added.
"We're certainly going to give it a good crack."
St Pat's come into the match having won the last three Group 10 titles, the last two of those coming after unbeaten seasons.
They also downed Parkes in last season's Premiers Challenge game while they took out the annual pre-season league tag carnival at Canowindra, beating Dubbo CYMS in the decider that day back in March.
"They're going to be formidable and they beat us in Canowindra so we know they're going to be tough," Merritt said.
The St Pat's team features some familiar faces with Paige Hay lining up in the centres having been part of the Parkes Spacecats side which won last year's Group 11 title while Hannah Kelly is also a former Parkes player.
The league tag match is first-up on Sunday and kicks-off at 12pm.
That game is followed by the juniors game between Forbes and St Pat's before the Wellington Cowboys and Bathurst Panthers do battle in the main game.