When Group 10 introduced the players points cap for this season, the idea was to get clubs to use more of their players who have come through the junior ranks.

Each club was given a 21-point limit they had to obey, with every player categorised in a particular category based on where the player came from and what they have achieved in football.

Last season, if the cap was in place, the Dragons would have reached the limit – sometimes gone over it - as they had many non-local players in their side due to the exodus of many of the juniors to other clubs, codes or simply not playing footy.

This season is a far different story.

With the exception of player-coach Jack Afamasaga, Demitrius Ainuu and Alex McMillan, Mudgee has a team made up of local players.

This was clearly evident in last week’s 36-4 win against Lithgow at Glen Willow Stadium.

Out of the 17 players named on the team sheet, 16 of them were players from the Mid-west region.

The only non-local was Afamasaga.

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Not since 2009 have Mudgee had this many locals in their line-up for a game.

It could be a good omen as that was the year the Dragons won their last Group 10 top grade premiership.

It is also one of the reasons halfback Tim Condon believes Mudgee is on top of the table.

“I was pretty confident we would go well with all the players we’ve got, all the locals we’ve got,” Condon said.

“I always knew we would have a good side if we all got here and that, and have the right environment.

“I didn’t think we would be 10 and oh but definitely I thought we would go well.”

Condon has played together with most of the players in premier league for his entire football life.

Even a year at Kandos last season, Condon played with his mates.

“You can chuck in Robbo [Jared Robinson] and Corin [Smith] and those fellas who didn’t go out to Kandos, we’ve all grown up and played footy together, played touch together,” Condon said. 

Condon, together with five-eighth and co-captain Jeremy Lang, have been two of the Dragons’ consistent players this season.

They are the pair who have been largely responsible for their team’s attack.

“It is good playing with Jezza, he is an old head for us. The combination is going well for us; we’re good mates,” Condon said.

“All the boys are gelling well together. It just has been an enjoyable year.”

Mudgee travel to Bathurst’s Carrington Park to try and continue this unbeaten run.

Their opponents, Panthers, have had an inconsistent season as they sit five points outside the top five in sixth position.

A loss on Sunday would not make the fat lady sing, but she would be warming up.

However, Condon is under no illusion the men in black will pose a real threat.

“I’ve seen some of their highlights and they do look strong,” Condon said.

“They will be hard over there. Hopefully it is not too cold.

“They have a good side and I’m surprised they haven’t won more games.”

Premier League is schedule to kick-off at 2.30pm with the lower grades beginning from 11am.

It’s a crunch game in the under 18s as both teams in equal fifth position alongside Blayney.