Abercrombie FC players Poorsha McPhillamy, Taylah Murphy and sisters Larissa and Teegan Kilby have been training with the Panorama Platypi during the summer, as well as Eglinton's Brooke Alexander.

All five are a number of new recruits for the Bathurst-based women's rugby league team, who are expected to get their 2022 campaign underway on February 12 against reigning champions Orange Vipers.

Platypi coach Kevin Grimshaw has been pleased with his new recruits and the entire squad in general.

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"They've been going well. Obviously we've had disruptions from what's going on with COVID-19," he said.

"In terms of numbers, it's been pretty good for training. There's a lot of new faces and they're very enthusiastic about the competition.

"We've got a couple of soccer players that are going to play for them. There's the likes of Poorsha McPhillamy, Brooke Alexander and the Kilbys. They're keen as mustard to get into it, which is really good."

It's not the first time Panorama has embraced players from a different code of football, with nine members of the Bathurst Bulldogs rugby union side from 2021 signaling their intent to play Western Women's Rugby League with the Platypi.

But with rugby union, soccer and league tag having already started pre-season training, Grimshaw has began a juggling act to find a day that works for training.

"It's a juggling act as training is concerned because the Bulldogs, soccer and league tag have started training," he said.

"I've just got to find a balance of when we train and what suits everybody."

Platypi's first round opponents Vipers will be a difficult challenge, considering they are the reigning champions.

And while Grimshaw admits it's a tough ask, he said the players are looking forward to the challenge.

"It'll be a tough ask to go up against them first week, but that'll be good," he said.

"The girls are looking forward to the challenge of it. I've got Demi Chapman playing with us, having played for the Vipers last year.

"They'll [Vipers] be very strong, as well as Dubbo and Woodbridge Cup. It'll be a very good competition again. I think we've got home and three games, so it'll be a good challenge.

"Our players are very enthusiastic. Obviously we've got some experienced players like Zarlia Griffiths, Claudia McLaren, Molly Kennedy. Those are three pretty experienced players, so they'll be able to help the girls that haven't played much."

Platypi will have two games at home this season, both at Jack Arrow Oval on consecutive weekends - Sunday, February 20 and Saturday, February 26.

The opening round match against Vipers is at Orange's Pride Park, with games away to Midwest in Mudgee on March 6 and Castlereagh in Coonamble on March 12 to complete the regular season.

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