That's the feeling of Group 11 secretary Paul Loxley ahead of the first competition match played since the 2019 grand final.

After COVID-19 forced the 2020 season to be completely abandoned before a ball had been kicked, fans around the western area have been starved of rugby league.

The action returns on Saturday when Dubbo CYMS and Parkes, two of Group 11's most successful clubs, do battle at No. 1 Oval and there's a huge amount of interest in not only those two sides but the five others in this year's competition.

"I think it will be the strongest comp in a long time," Loxley said.

"I can't wait for Saturday. We're getting back to normal ... communities love their footy and all seven clubs are back playing and we're in for a bigger and better season."

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The long wait for the return of senior competition isn't the only reason footy fans in the region are excited.

An NRL premiership match will be played at Dubbo for the first time next month when South Sydney and Penrith do battle at Apex Oval while on the local scene, there has been a host of off-season moves at each of the Group 11 clubs.

No-one has been as active as Macquarie and after signing on to captain-coach ahead of the 2020 season, Alex Ronayne will finally get the chance to lead out the revolutionised Raiders on Sunday at Narromine.

The Jets may not be tipped by many as a premiership threat but the club has said throughout pre-season finals is the focus in 2021 while Forbes and Nyngan are expected to be genuine contenders and the Wellington Cowboys are determined to defend the drought-breaking premiership they won in 2019.

"The players themselves, some haven't put on their boots in two years so they'll be champing at the bit to get out there and play footy," Loxley said.

"I think nearly every club when they line up for their first game will think they're a chance of winning the comp.

"It's going to be so close this year and it's going to be a real fight to make the top five."

The round one matches will be played at Dubbo, Narromine, and Forbes and bumper crowds are expected at each location.

With rugby league and sport as a whole playing such a significant role in countless regional communities, a yawning chasm was left for many last year as numerous competitions were cancelled.

Loxley knows matches this season will bring people back together and, in turn, help the clubs and the sponsors who missed out in 2020.

"Take Dubbo out of the equation and rugby league is the focal point of nearly every one of the other communities," he said.

"Look at Nyngan, if they're playing well then everyone is at Larkin Oval and they come from everywhere.

"It's the same at Narromine, and Parkes and Forbes, and Wellington.

"And in Dubbo it's about the derby and the (CYMS v Macquarie) rivalry.

"I just think people will think it's so good to be out seeing live sport ... I just hope they get out and support these clubs."

Saturday's action at No. 1 Oval will start with the league tag match at 1pm while the Jets welcome Macquarie to town and the Forbes Magpies' host Wellington on Sunday.

Nyngan has the bye.

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