Parkes Panthers withdrew from the competition on the eve of round one a couple of weeks ago, but the Blues’ season is due to get underway.

The first task of the new year looms as a tough one, away against the Dubbo Demons, who shot to prominence in the central west last season.

The Demons made the semi-finals but with very few departures and a number of exciting additions, Dubbo coach Will Bunt feels his side is in for a big year.

“It’s the first game and we’ve only had the one trial so I just want to see some intent,” Bunt said of the clash with the Blues.

“What we’ve been talking about and what we’ve been doing at training and that attitude. It might not be at 100 percent this week but as long as I see the effort and commitment.”

First bounce in round one is at 2.30pm at South Dubbo Oval on Saturday.