HAVING good players on paper doesn’t always translate to having good players on the field, but it is safe to say that depth shouldn’t be a problem for Bathurst Panthers in 2015.

The Panthers Rugby League Knockout, to be staged on March 20-21, acts as a warm-up for most teams in the Group, albeit one that they all want to win once they hit the paddock.

However, there could be a little bit more of an incentive for some Panthers players, with the tournament having the potential to decide whether they will begin their season in premier league or first division.

In theory, with the club still trying to regain the services of Fijian prop Osea Sadrau, they could have a front row rotation of Group 10 stars Brent Seager and Greg Behan, with representative hooker Luke Carpenter between them and Sadrau off the bench.

The back row stocks look even deeper.

Blake Seager, Jarrod Seager – who is still eligible for under 18s  – Jake and Jed Betts, along with captain-coach Todd Barrow, can all command a spot in most sides across the competition.

Orange Hawks recruit Max Wolfson is another entry into the forward rotation who is likely to be looked at during the knockout.

The back line could be even more congested.

Even with the departure of Matt Rose, the arrival of Jeremy Gordon, Sandon Gibbs-O’Neill and Barrow leaves the men in black with an abundance of playmaking options, especially given the development of Joey Bugg and Blake Dean last year.

Gordon is likely to start at five-eighth with Bugg alongside, while Gibbs-O’Neill could head to full-back and Barrow to the centres.

Blake Lawson was the side’s best player in their miracle run to the semi-finals last year and will retain a centres position, while newcomer Bradyn Cassidy could start on the wing but also covers fullback.

Even without a commitment from try-scoring machine William ‘Bubba’ Kennedy, it is a formidable squad. It also filters down.

“In reserves we’re looking at having a heap of first grade experience, Aaron Bell will captain-coach that side, Trent Hotham and Mike Wicks have both played a lot of firsts as well, Scott Comerford is another one,” club president Dennis Comerford.

“None of this really takes into account the players that are going to come up from last year’s under 18s team either. We are looking like having a really deep squad with quality all the way through.

“Obviously you don’t know how some of the younger guys are going to handle the step up, they are an unknown quantity in senior footy, but I believe a lot of them are capable of that step up.

“We’re still working on Oscar [Sadrau], but we’re hopeful he will be back in time for the first match of the season.”