"I think it's going to be the most anticipated season in a long, long time."
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The buzz is building for the 2021 Group 11 season and competition secretary Paul Loxley expects that excitement to only grow after the draw was released on Thursday.
With no play seen in Group 11 this year due to COVID-19 and the competition potentially being replaced by a new western-wide senior competition in 2022, the 2021 season is expected to be a hugely competitive one.
A number of bumper fixtures - including a round two grand final replay, the annual Parkes-Forbes long weekend battle, and a massive CYMS-Macquarie final round derby - headline the draw but plenty of representative matches will also make the 2021 season one of the biggest in recent years.
In a huge addition to the Group 11 calendar, next year will mark the return of the All Stars fixture.
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A Group 11 Indigenous side will do battle with an All Stars side in opens and league tag in an event which is certain to attract fans from all over the region.
A Group 11 Indigenous side will also meet their Group 10 counterparts in a season curtain-raiser on the weekend of April 10.
Group 11 and Group 10 will meet in a representative battle, with matches in the opens, under 18s, and league tag to be played on May 22.
"Add the Souths-Panthers NRL game (at Dubbo) and it's just going to be an incredible year," Loxley said.
"I think it's going to be the most anticipated season in a long, long time ... every club will think they're a chance of winning the comp."
The Group 11 regular season will feature 14 rounds and starts on May 2.
There will be a general bye on May 23 when the South Sydney Rabbitohs and Penrith Panthers play an NRL premiership match at Apex Oval while finals will begin the weekend of August 21 and 22.
The grand final will be played on September 12.
Dubbo sides CYMS and Macquarie are unlikely to play home games at Apex Oval prior to May 23 to ensure the ground is in its best condition for the NRL.
In the opening round of next year, 2019 premiers Wellington will travel to Forbes while Dubbo CYMS is at home to Parkes, Narromine hosts Macquarie, and Nyngan has the bye.
The Cowboys welcome CYMS to Wellington in a grand final replay in round two while the Parkes-Forbes derby is again on the June long weekend on the 13th.
The final round, one which could have a huge say on the top five given the season is expected to be close-fought, is headlined by the Dubbo derby fixture between CYMS and Macquarie.
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Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
