Central West rep team squad in training in prep for Country Week Carnival in Tamworth. Train on Squad of about 45 players. Quality looks good but undefeated premiers from 2012 have only 1 player at this stage. Hopefully more will come to Wednesday nights training in Orange. It would be good to see a stronger representation from the recent premiers.
Strong contingent from Dubbo as well as Narromine and Parkes. A few from Emus and Bulldogs, with Condobolin and Wellington represented from the ANFD cup.
Still not known who Blue Bulls will play in Tamworth as Richardson shield draw is yet to be released. Rumour has it that 9 zones will contest the country week carnival, 4 competing for the caldwell cup based on rankings from 2012 Country Championships in Wyong and 5 for the Richardson shield, welcoming back Mid North Coast for 2013. Winner of RIchardson Shield 2013 will have right to challenge 4th placed Caldwell Cup zone for 2014 seedings.
I would still like to see the country championships run over 2 weekends with the first weekend a 'day trip' only, minimizing costs of accommodation etc. A conference type model whereby Far North Coast / Mid North Coast / Central North meet in the middle for a round robin day, Central West / Western Plains / New England meet in the middle and Illawarra / Central Coast / Newcastle meet in the middle for the first weekend. 2 x 40 minute games on the Saturday (20 minute halves) with results from the first weekend determining your ranking for the country week carnival, staged over 2 days (1 travelling, 1 playing) the following weekend. Second weekend, zones are separated into 3 pools, based on previous weeks results. Pool A (Three top teams), would play 2 x 40 minutes games (20 minute halves) for the Caldwell cup. First past the post. Pool B (middle 3 teams) to play for the RIchardson Sheld, and Bottom 3 for the Bill Rowlands Plate.