There will again be a strong Western Rams presence around the Penrith Panthers when the 2021 NRL season kicks off later this week.
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Team lists for round one were announced on Tuesday afternoon ahead the first match for the year on Thursday night.
There is again a strong spread of Dubbo and western area talent, especially at Penrith.
The Panthers start their season at home on Saturday night against the Penrith Panthers and St John's junior Isaah Yeo will run out as co-captain.
The Dubbo product has been given the top job alongside NSW teammate Nathan Cleary.
Forbes flyer Charlie Staines lit up the NRL last year when scoring six tries in his first two games in the top grade and his chance to become a regular for the Panthers starts this weekend.
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Staines was named on the wing but there was no Brent Naden in the centres as the Wellington juniors was suspended for the first four rounds by his club following his positive cocaine test in last year's grand final week.
Dubbo junior and Canterbury Bulldogs-bound half Matt Burton failed the make the 17 and was among the reserves for Penrith while Parkes junior Billy Burns missed out altogether.
Burton, Naden, and Burns were all named in the Panthers' NSW Cup side for round one.
Elsewhere in the NRL, Kaide Ellis missed out on a spot in the St George Illawarra Dragons' 17 for their round one meeting with the Cronulla Sharks.
The former CYMS forward got plenty of minutes during pre-season but it wasn't enough for coach Anthony Griffin as Ellis was named among the reserves.
Molong young gun Cody Ramsey was named on the wing for a Dragons side which meets a Sharks team which will again have Coonamble junior Jesse Ramien in the centres and Bathurst's Will Kennedy at fullback.
On Friday night, Dubbo-born Connor Watson will take on a new role with the Newcastle Knights.
Having played at hooker and as a utility mainly in the past, Watson will start at lock for the Knights in their round one meeting with the Bulldogs.
Tyrone Peachey will start from the bench for the Gold Coast Titans on Saturday against the Warriors while his fellow Queensland-based Wellington product Kotoni Staggs remains sidelined following knee surgery late last year and isn't expected to take to the field for the Brisbane Broncos until next month.
Peachey's Titans meet the Warriors, who will have Lithgow junior Wayde Egan start at hooker.
Established western exports Josh Jackson, Jack Wighton, and Blake Ferguson were all named to start again for the Bulldogs, Canberra Raiders, and Parramatta Eels.
Round one kicks off on Thursday night with the Melbourne Storm taking on South Sydney, a side which will head to Dubbo to play on May 23.
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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.
