Fast-paced and hard hitting footy is what the Presidents Cup has provided this year.
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Alex Ronayne knows it's a competition seemingly designed for his game.
And this weekend the all-action back-rower will get his first chance to test himself in the cup after being named in a revamped Western Rams outfit.
Ronayne, who was set to debut as captain-coach of Macquarie prior to the 2020 Group 11 season being abandoned, returns to the Rams for the first time since captaining the side against France late last year.
"It's always good to represent the Western team and I'm very pleased to get the opportunity to have a crack," he said.
Ronayne has spent this year playing in the Castlereagh League with the Gilgandra Panthers but has been in attendance at Apex Oval to watch his former side, Dubbo CYMS, during its cup campaign.
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"I've been very impressed with it," Ronayne said.
"I'm just bummed I didn't get to play in it more. It suits me to a tee and I'd love to be part of it.
"CYMS has played good and a bit like the Rams they haven't got the wins but have stuck in there.
"It's just a bit of experience."
The Rams, in particular, have been lacking those few seasoned campaigners needed in a competition as strong as the Presidents Cup and it has been one of the main reasons the side sits at the foot of the ladder without a win to its name.
While most other sides possess ex-NRL players and others with a huge amount of Sydney experience, the Rams' squad features a number of teenagers or those in their early 20s.
That will change this weekend against the North Sydney Bears, with Ronayne one of a number of major inclusions for the match at Bathurst's Carrington Park.
Ronayne joins Bathurst St Pat's captain-coach Zac Merritt as powerful additions to the forward pack while Orange Hawks maestro Willie Heta will slot into the halves and Keelan Bresac of Lithgow comes in on the wing.
"It's been talked about. Come in for a bit of leadership and experience," Ronayne said.
"We're definitely keen to try and get that first win and show we're not walkovers out here."
The Rams selection doesn't mean Ronayne walks away from the Panthers, but he may play reduced minutes in Saturday's meeting with Binnaway.
Given how much he's enjoying his time in the Castlereagh League, there would be little that could currently make the multiple Group 11 premiership winner walk away from his new side.
"It [this season] has been unexpected and not ideal when I was going to captain-coach Macquarie for the first year but I'm loving it at Gil," Ronayne said.
"It's a great club that's run well with great people and it's a great town. so I'm loving every bit of it.
"There's a good vibe over there and they just want to win. That's what I love."
The Bears head into Sunday's match at Bathurst second on the Presidents Cup ladder with just one loss from six rounds.
Kick-off is 2pm at Carrington Park.