LAST year’s 14-6 loss to Group 11 still doesn’t sit right with Group 10 head coach Graeme Osborne.

Having mentored Group 10 to wins in 2013 and 2014, the eight-point defeat last year was the first for the master coach from Lithgow.

After naming a strong 28-man squad in the lead-up to this year’s April 23 Western Division showdown in Gilgandra, it’s pretty clear he’s banking on it being the last.

Osborne has selected size and, importantly against an attack-heavy Group 11, speed as he attempts to improve his representative coaching record to three wins from four starts.

“That’s a handy record, I reckon,” Osborne laughed.

“I didn’t enjoy losing last year’s game ... but the main thing is for the players.

“There’s the obvious rivalry between Group 10 and Group 11, but the biggest thing about winning is you traditionally get a couple of extra places in the Western team. 

“Those bragging rights is what it’s all about.”

Defending Group 10 premiers Orange CYMS have five players selected in Osborne’s initial squad, which is expected to be trimmed to 18 after the second round of the season this weekend.

Bathurst Panthers enjoy their strongest representation in a number of years with six players named in the squad – brothers Jedd and Jake Betts, new recruit Claude Gordon, Jeremy Gordon, Brent Seager and Blake Lawson.

St Pat’s hooker Benjamin John and playmaker Garry Reilly have also been named.

Former NRL prop turned Oberon Tiger George Rose was the glaring omission from the 28 named, but Osborne said while selectors used the Indigenous All Stars game, the Bathurst Panthers Knockout and round one as a yard stick for form, devotion to Rams coach Darren Jackson’s thorough pre-season campaign also came into consideration.

“I know Darren Jackson has put a lot of work into getting Western ready for the championships and there’s been a lot of planning and training and camps in the lead-up to this game,” Osborne said.

“Picking this squad was about rewarding the people who’ve put in the work to be part of the process. George is only just settling into Oberon now.”

Osborne has picked six players who made the Western side last season, while new Oberon centre Abel Faifua-Lefaoseu is one to watch.

“I really liked the look of big Abel,” the Group 10 coach said.

“He’s in the centres with Oberon and from what I was told, was the stand-out player against CYMS.

“Then at the Indigenous game, the likes of Josh Rainbow and Warren Williams, to see how fit he is, it’s a credit to Warren and the Cowra club.

“Garry Reilly still got all the footwork and the young guys Jedd and Jake Betts and Blake Lawson for Panthers, they’re all playing great footy.”

GROUP 10: Dane Howarth (Blayney), Josh Rainbow (Blayney), Ron Lawrence (Cowra), Jack Nobes (Cowra), Warren Williams (Cowra), Blake Tidswell (Cowra), KJ Wood (Cowra), Ben McAlpine (CYMS), Simon Osborne (CYMS), Brendan Cousins (CYMS), Mitch Davis (CYMS), Ryan Griffin (CYMS), Sam Satongo (Hawks), Jeremy Gordon (Panthers), Claude Gordon (Panthers), Jedd Betts (Panthers), Brent Seager (Panthers), Blake Lawson (Panthers), Jake Betts (Panthers), Jack Afamasaga (Mudgee), Todd Munn (Mudgee), Hamish Bryant (Mudgee), Benjamin John (St Pat's), Garry Reilly (St Pat's), Abel Faifua-Lefaoseu (Oberon), Luke Christie-Johnson (Oberon), Chris Rhodes (Workies), Jono Van Veen (Workies), Kealan Bresac (Workies).