The 24-year-old missed last year's Group 10 premiership victory with Bathurst Panthers after breaking his leg mid-year but says "things could have been worse".

"I didn't do my ACL or anything like that," Betts said looking back on the only major injury of his career to date.

Panthers knocked off the Magpies 12-10 at Cowra in last year's decider.

"And I got to sit on the bench for the grand final and I carried on like I helped them win it anyway," Betts laughed.

"I've been playing with all the boys since we were kids. It was pretty special to be part of."

As are, if you ask Betts, Panthers-St Pat's derbies.

The hard-working Panther marks down the dates for the all-Bathurst games in his diary every year and in 2019 he made his comeback from that horrific leg break against St Pat's in their first meeting in April.

He played first division and then backed up for Doug Hewitt on the bench, playing a handful of minutes in the 22-20 Panthers win, and is expecting another tough encounter come Saturday's second derby.

And Betts will be in the thick of it after being named at prop.

"What a stitch up ... the boys have been in to me about putting on too much weight while I've been out," Betts joked having played lock for most of his top grade games.

"I'll do my normal role but in less minutes, so it won't be too bad. But derbies are definitely games I look forward to.

"We're wary of them, being a local derby. We never look at where they're sitting on the ladder, especially with Zac Merritt back now. He's a handy player.

"We'll have to stop their go-forward and try and limit their quick play-the-balls or Branno will kick them into the game."

Panthers sit on top of the table on 18 competition points, alongside Orange Hawks. Mudgee is just one win back from both clubs in third.

It'll be a tight race for the 2019 minor premiership and a win over St Pat's will maintain Panthers' grip on top place, not that Betts is too concerned.

"We're just poking along at the moment and worrying about ourselves. We know what we can do," he added.

"I just hope if we get through the finals then I'm there part of the team."

Kick-off for Saturday's premier league derby is at 2.15pm.

The day will kick-off with the senior league tag derby from 9.30am at Jack Arrow Oval.