Not through a lack of effort – the Dragons have just been cruelled with injury, which, if things don’t improve, could put the red and white’s campaign for a finals place in jeopardy. 

So, how does each side stack up at the end of the first round?

GRADE: A+

Easily the most impressive side in the competition over the course of the opening nine rounds, with Mick Sullivan’s men passing their only real test courtesy of a 22-16 win over Panthers at Wade Park – at one point leading 22-0.

Will take some seriously good team to knock the green and golds off. Depth, particularly in the outside backs and halves, is impressive.

KEY PLAYER: Chris Bamford.

GRADE: A

Made all the right moves in the pre-season and then continued to impress on the field, winning all bar one clash through the opening round.

Massive clash with CYMS at Carrington Park looms for Todd Barrow’s side, but win lose or draw that contest, the men in black will be there come the pointy end of the season. Serious title contenders.

KEY PLAYER: Jeremy Gordon.

GRADE: B+

The Tigers started the year on fire, winning five of the club’s first six games to sit among the top teams in the competition.

But Luke Branighan’s side has failed to land a blow on the best team’s in the comp; CYMS beat them by 50 and Panthers got the job done at fortress Oberon 28-6 last Sunday.

If the Tigers are to challenge, they’ll need to find another gear, with five games on the road over the course of the back end of the season.

KEY PLAYER: Abel Faifua-Lefaoseu.

GRADE: C+

Hard not to be disappointed by the Dragons this winter. 

The defending premiers have had momentum from last year’s grand final win stunted with the loss of key players through injury and suspension – Corin Smith hasn’t played a game since the Mudgee nines and Jack Afamasaga has played one.

Still capable of going on a big run to make an impact in the finals, but chances are running slim.

KEY PLAYER: Sam Wooden.

GRADE: B

Orange Hawks, in finals contention, after the last 12 months it almost seems impossible.

But that’s where the two blues sit at the turn of the season, one of three sides likely to land in positions four or five to land in finals football in 2017.

Willie Heta has been sublime, while the club’s junior stocks have risen to the challenge. Consistency is the key for the two blues – they find it, they make the top five.

KEY PLAYER: Ethan McKelllar.

GRADE: B-

Another side battling consistency, but if the Magpies find it then they’ll take some stopping.

Rory Brien’s side does endured arguably the toughest run of any side in the competition come the second round, where they hit the road for six out of the eight games.

If they can jag wins in half of those games, then beat Oberon and Blayney in their only remaining home games at Sid Kallas, Cowra could sneak into fifth.

KEY PLAYER: Blake Tidswell.

GRADE: C+

Flashes of brilliance but way too many errors.

That’s the best way to sum up St Pat’s 2017 first round, where the club showed its potential by knocking off Oberon, but in the last round produced a 40 minute period where they conceded 40 points in a 56-12 loss to Hawks.

Will take a miracle to make the top five.

But, of the sides at the bottom half of the ladder, St Pat’s is the one team many won’t look forward to playing if positions in the top five are on the line. 

KEY PLAYER: Greg Behan.

GRADE: C-

Probably what we expected from Workies leading into the season.

Not in the same sort of class as Panthers or CYMS, but Chris Rhodes certainly has the club heading in the right direction.

Will win a fair share of games over the backend of the season, particularly at home. Big chance to play finals spoiler for a few sides with games against Oberon, Cowra, Hawks and, at a stretch, St Pat’s at Tony Luchetti in the second round.

KEY PLAYER: Jono Van Veen.

GRADE: D

It’s been a tough old battle for the Bears this season.

Things didn’t start well when Hawks beat them by plenty in the opening round and it’s certainly snowballed from there.

There’s been some light appear at the end of the tunnel though, a strong opening 40 against St Pat’s in round eight was followed by an equally impressive opening half against ladder-leaders CYMS. 

A full 80 minute effort against a side on the ropes and Blayney could jag a win this season.

KEY PLAYER: Josh Rainbow.

PREDICTED LADDER: 1 Orange CYMS, 2 Bathurst Panthers, 3 Orange Hawks, 4 Oberon Tigers, 5 Mudgee Dragons, 6 Cowra Magpies, 7 Bathurst St Pat’s, 8 Lithgow Workies, 9 Blayney Bears.

Welcome back, Forbes.

All the talk this season has been about two-time defending premiers Orange Emus and Bathurst Bulldogs, and rightly so. Both sides have been super impressive through unbeaten runs over the opening seven rounds of the competition.

But the Platypi aren’t taking a backward step in 2017.

And it showed in a spirited, come-from-behind win over the Dogs at Bathurst on Saturday, the 27-17 result confirming last year’s grand finalists as every bit as good a side as the one that based and crashed its way to last year’s decider.

Forbes lost the grand final rematch to Emus 62-20 earlier in the season, but, now firing, you get the feeling the second round clash at Grinsted Oval will be a corker.