HE might not be sure what format competition his Bathurst Panthers will play in if rugby league resumes this season, but Doug Hewitt is crystal clear when it comes to his 2020 goal.
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The Panthers captain-coach wants to win a third premiership in as many years no matter what path the men in black have to take to get there.
"We are going for three, we have our sights set on that and I think it will take a fair team to knock us off," Hewitt said.
"You bust yourselves to win if it's a normal season and I guarantee you if we get out there this season we'll still bust ourselves."
New South Wales Rugby League revealed last week that it is aiming for all community competitions - which were put on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic - to commence on July 18.
Group 10 officials will meet on Wednesday night to discuss potential formats for its season, one idea being to run a combined Western premiership with Group 11.
READ MORE: Coleman proposes 15-team Western premiership
Hewitt and his Panthers are just hungry to play football no matter what the draw brings. A shorter season does not worry the star halfback at all - in fact he thinks it could suit his side.
"At the start of the year they said we were going to have four byes, I'd prefer to keep playing and tough it out," Hewitt said.
"I know going bang, bang, bang is tougher on your body, but you learn to live with it, I'd much rather that than a bit of a drawn out season.
"So I'm still looking forward to it even if she's short because I think that would suit us better anyways. We have guys in this team who can keep going, I think it will probably work in our favour."
After a 12-10 win over Cowra in the 2018 Group 10 premier league grand final, clinched with a brilliant Willie Wright sideline conversion, Panthers made it back-to-back titles last season.
They did so in front of a home crowd at Carrington Park, Hewitt's extra-time field goal securing Panthers a 9-8 result against Mudgee.
Now Panthers want to become the first side since Oberon's streak in 1969-71 to make it three consecutive premierships in Group 10's top grade.
READ MORE: July date is set for rugby league's return
It was a goal set during pre-season training before the coronavirus forced the sport to be shutdown.
"That was all we spoke about towards the start of the year that it's all on us this. Even though we won two years ago and won again last year, we still weren't favourites to win it but we still went out there and defended our title," Hewitt said.
"We started this year with a bit of a target on our backs and we were more hungry than ever. But that target doesn't really change things one bit, all the boys live for that sort of stuff.
"I think what also made us hungrier at the start of the year is that we had a bit of competition at the club and we were all feeding off each other. It showed right across the park.
"I know big Brent Seager really pumped up Starlo [Josh Starling] there and in the pre-season were really challenging each other in everything they done to be better.
"As soon as that news came through we could play again all the boys started talking again and I think those guys that hadn't been doing much of their own training have jumped straight back into it."
