The Panthers NRL squad walked the oval yesterday afternoon ahead of today’s NRL clash with the Gold Coast Titans.

And they were pleasantly surprised to find a much different playing surface than the boggy ground they encountered during last year’s 18-16 loss to the Cronulla Sharks.

Since then, Bathurst Regional Council has embarked on an ambitious upgrade of Carrington Park, including replacing all seats in the main grandstand and a $110,000 makeover of the field with new turf and drainage.

Cleary yesterday said the club appreciated council’s efforts in upgrading the field and his team was looking forward to playing again in Bathurst.

He said last year’s loss would only make them more determined to play well today.

“Full credit to the ground staff and council, they’ve done a great job,” he said.

“And the weather has probably also helped with this game being played earlier in the year. The surface looks perfect for NRL football.”

Council is banking on a large walk-up crowd for today’s clash with just under 3000 tickets pre-sold late yesterday.

Last year, 8824 hardy souls turned out in the depths of winter to watch the first Panthers match in their five-year deal with Bathurst Regional Council, and council remains hopeful of getting close to that number again.

Panthers players spent three full days in Bathurst in the lead-up to last year’s clash, visiting schools and running coaching clinics to create a real buzz around town, but none of those promotions have been possible this year.

But Cleary said the club took its community engagement role seriously and was simply trying a new way of doing things this year.

“We’re just feeling our way a bit,” he said.

“We have a coaching clinic booked for Sunday and that will be an opportunity for everyone to see the game first and, hopefully after we’ve played well, come down and spend some quality time with the players. We prioritise the community part of our visit very highly.”

Cleary said he was pleased to be back in Bathurst and hoped for a good crowd this afternoon.

“It does make a difference to the atmosphere at the ground, so it would be fantastic to get the biggest crowd there possible,” he said.

“It’s still early in the season and everyone is keen to go, so hopefully people will take the rare chance to come and see some NRL football.”

Cleary said the Titans were unlucky to go down in their round one clash with the Tigers and would provide stiff opposition today.