They're defending Group 10 premiers after knocking-off Cowra in the big dance in 2018 and they've won the Bathurst Panthers Knockout for the past three seasons.

So no doubt, Bathurst Panthers will enter this weekend's pre-season knockout competition as one of the favourites.

Panthers will feature in the first game of the knockout, after being drawn to play against Lithgow Workies.

Panthers captain-coach Doug Hewitt, who missed the opening game of the season with a knee injury, will be absence for his side once again and he's not the only one. 

"We're missing a couple of players actually, but we've got a couple of young fellas stepping up," he said. 

"We should still be fairly competitive but we are missing some of our older blokes. We'll still be there about."

New recruits Kevin Murray, from Moore Park, Max Gay, from Yanco-Wamoon, and Louis Murphy, from Walgett, are expected to feature at the knockout, the three named at centre, lock and centre respectively. 

The three all played in the opening Group 10 fixture against Blayney last Saturday, scoring a try each. 

Willie Wright, who kicked the grand final-winning conversion in last season's decider against Cowra, has also been named at five eight and will be looking to carry on his hot point scoring form, having scored two tries and booting six goals against Blayney for a total of 20 points.

And heading into the knockout, Panthers will be one of the most prepared teams, having already got a Group 10 match under their belts.

Hewitt said while that'll help, he did say the knockout is a completely different game, with shorter halves. 

"It's a shorter format, meaning you've got to be sharper on your game," he said. 

"Last week probably did help shake off a few cobwebs."

Panthers will play a Lithgow side first up that finished last season's Group 10 season in eighth position.

Workies have bolstered their squad in the off-season, bringing in Josh Howarth, from St Pat's, and Tui Oloapu, from Oberon, as well as recruiting former Shute Shield rugby union player Jack Sullivan. 

"We've got to concentrate on Lithgow to start off with," Hewitt said. 

"Last week, we weren't at our best against Blayney, so we can't afford to do that again. If we can put some points on the board straight away, I think the boys will gain some confidence."

If Panthers do defeat Workies, they progress to the quarter finals to play the Orange CYMS.

Kick-off between Panthers and Workies is at 7.50pm at Carrington Park on Friday night.