Dubbo Kangaroos one of five clubs to contest Blowes Clothing Cup

The Blowes Clothing Cup suffered a blow on Sunday when the Cowra Eagles announced they would not be taking part in the 2020 competition.

But the competitions other five clubs - Roos, Bathurst Bulldogs, Forbes Platypi, and Orange duo City and Emus - are all locked in.

Each of those clubs is currently looking at two proposed season formats with the final structure to be locked in at the end of the week.

Central West Rugby Union chief Matt Tink is expected to announce the finalised draw and season dates for each of the zone's competitions on Friday.

"There's five of us and we're good to go," Roos president Gerald Webster said.

Player numbers was one of the issues for Cowra but there is no such problem at the Roos.

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If anything, the club has too many players for what will be a modified 2020 season.

"I think all clubs have lost a few players but we've been pretty fortunate to retain most," Webster said, with training having resumed in recent weeks.

"They've been pretty keen and we've had very good numbers. It's actually not ideal when you're going into a shortened season with only two grades, we've probably got enough for three.

"There might be some clubs who accommodate a social third grade game though."

The strong numbers also means many rugby league players from the cancelled Group 11 competition will likely be out of luck if they're thinking of swapping codes for the year.

Webster said he wouldn't be encouraging any league players to ask about a game at the Roos, but did confirm Filisione Pauta has returned to the club.

The Central West star played with the Geurie Goats most recently but was locked in to play for the Macquarie Raiders again in Group 11 this year.

But he's been back at work with the Roos and Webster said the club is excited to have one of its former standouts back in the sky blue.

"We're not turning him away," he laughed.

Many of those at Roos training have been preparing for months, with specialised gym sessions having started in summer the summer.

The attendance at pre-season was hugely promising and Webster said the coaching staff - headed by Beau Robinson and Vince Gordon - deserved a huge amount of credit for keeping the players interested.

"Virtually since last year they had worked on retaining players and getting players training," he said.

"We started pre-season with a lot of guys keen and in the gym and right through the shutdown the club was talking to players and keeping them informed.

"It really paid dividends and it's the reason we've got good numbers."

Away from the field, Webster said some of the club's major fundraisers were also looking positive.

Crowds at matches would allow social events and sponsors' day to go ahead and crowds are expected back at the races soon and that will be a huge boost for the Roos ahead of November's Derby Day meeting at Dubbo Turf Club, where the club runs a marquee.

"I think some people thought we wouldn't get a game but it's looking much better," Webster said.