SKILL, strength, speed and experience - they have all been key to the success the Bathurst Bulldogs women have enjoyed since entering the Central West Rugby Union competition, but there is another factor which is just as important.
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It's depth.
So when the Mel Waterford skippered outfit embark on another Ferguson Cup campaign this Saturday with a squad numbering 25 players, it is a huge asset.
"We are absolutely leading the club this year, we have got huge numbers and we've had some training sessions with more girls than boys," Waterford said.
"There is a heap of interest in the club, we've got a lot of new players and they have really worked hard in the extended off-season with their fitness and their skills. I think they are just really excited to get on the paddock and play.
"We've still got that good core of experienced players, but we've got an extended squad now of about 25 players - we've had a really good recruitment.
"That comes into play, especially being women's sport. You've got mothers, you've got uni students, people who work weekends and injuries, so it's always really good to have an extended squad."
This season has signalled yet another evolution for the Central West Rugby Union women's competition, with three separate premierships replacing the pool system.
It allows the women's teams to play at the same venue and against the same opposition as the men. It means Bulldogs will do battle with Dubbo Kangaroos, Forbes, Orange City and Orange Emus.
CSU are in the northern premiership with Mudgee, Parkes, Wellington and Dubbo Rhinos while the southern title will be contested between Temora, Harden,Young and Cootamundra.
"We're definitely lucky to be in the competition we're in, it's definitely going to be a strong competition. All the teams are starting to be on par with each other, the skill level in women's rugby is definitely improving week by week," Waterford said.
"That's what we've been working towards and [Matt] Tink has done a great job with the support he's given women's rugby through his involvement with Central West."
While the Bulldogs will be looking to win a fourth consecutive Central West crown this season - something which no club has managed in the past 20 years - Waterford said the squad will stick with their proven approach to focus on one game at a time.
It is an approach which helps to ease the pressure of a title defence.
"We're just hoping to do as well as we've done the last couple of years. We're still looking at it week by week, but our aim is always to be there at the end of the season," Waterford said.
"We seem to have a good rotation of players coming in and players going out and when you get new players the pressure isn't on them and we try not to hype things up. It's all about coming together each week and winning games and hopefully towards the end of the season we'll be able to get into the grand final."
The Bulldogs' season opener this Saturday will be in Dubbo against the Kangaroos. While the Bathurst side easily accounted for them in 2019, Waterford expects stiffer competition this season.
"I'm definitely expecting them to be improved, they've had some good recruitment in the off-season, they've got some new players in with experience which will help," she said. "They've actually got a strong group as their core now ... I'm expecting them to be tough."
All three women's premierships will be sponsored by Westfund and Waterford acknowledged their support.
"It's always great to have sponsorship, especially for women's rugby. They've been a great support to us for a number of years now," Waterford said.
