THEY'VE impressed at training, they've shone in a trial match and now the men in black are aiming to make it four Bathurst Panthers Firetection Knockout crowns in five years.
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Doug Hewitt's Bathurst Panthers are hungry to send an early warning to their Group 10 rivals this weekend when they do battle in the annual knockout at Carrington Park.
While Mudgee, who is drawn to met St Pat's in the opening round on Friday night, start as the defending champion, the Panthers have an impressive record in the annual pre-season tournament.
They won three consecutive titles between 2016-18 and Panthers president Dennis Comerford feels they are a strong chance of adding to that.
"Talking to Doug and some of the more senior boys, they seem to feel they are a long way ahead of where they were at the same time last year in regards to training," Comerford said.
"They've been training the house down and they went away on the weekend to the Central Coast and had a trial against Ourimbah ... they defeated Ourimbah 42-0 that probably gives you an indication of how well they are travelling at the moment.
"We don't know how strong the Central Coast competition is, but when you throw in the likes of Woy Woy, Umina and Toukley, clubs on the Central Coast probably have access to some of the more experienced players coming out of the Sydney competition too, that's a good result.
"Having a bit of game time prior to the knockout gives them that bit of game fitness and probably a bit of an edge over some of the other teams which haven't played yet, so fingers crossed."
Panthers are drawn to play Orange CYMS in their opening match and should they win that, will advance to meet the winner of the Dragons versus Saints clash in Saturday's semi-final.
The other side of the draw sees Blayney do battle with Lithgow Workies and Cowra meet Orange Hawks in the first round.
But it is not just the top-grade title Panthers will be chasing come Saturday afternoon. Comerford would love to see the first division outfit prevail as well and make it a rare knockout double.
They won their reserve grade trial against Ourimbah 26-6 and are drawn to play Hawks in their first knockout match at 6.35pm Friday. If they win they will meet either St Pat's or Workies in the semis.
"You just don't know what to expect, reserve grade is one of those competitions where you don't know what quality players will be playing. We're in a situation where we've got some players who are well and truly capable of playing first grade but because you can only have 17 players, they've got to drop back and play reserve grade," Comerford said.
"That strengthens our reserves side, but even though we are in that situation, other clubs probably are as well. You just don't know what will happen."
