PLAYERS who have let themselves go over the off-season need not trial for the Central West Blue Bulls, co-coach Dean Oxley says.

Trials for the Blue Bulls’ 2010 Caldwell Cup campaign will be held at Endeavour Oval on January 16 and this will be quickly followed by a trial game against Central North on January 30, which will be played as a curtain-raiser to the Waratahs’ Super 14 trial at Wade Park.

That gives Oxley and colleague Warren Petty little time to prepare their side and Bathurst-based Oxley says those needing considerable fitness work will not be accommodated.

“You can’t afford to be focusing on fitness,” Oxley said.

“The guys who are interested have their fitness up. We can’t afford to be carrying players who aren’t physically up to it.”

All Blowes Menswear Cup and President’s Cup clubs have been informed of the trial and Oxley is happy with the interest level shown already.

He is keen to see a greater presence at the trial from President’s Cup sides and given the single-grade competition has expanded, Central West has a greater player base to tap into.

Former Bathurst Bulldog Matt Waterford has reportedly committed to playing for the Blue Bulls this season after representing Western Plains in 2009, while Oxley is also keen to gauge former NSW Country hooker Josh Tremain’s interest in playing after returning to Orange from a season in the Netherlands.

“Being a Country hooker, we’re very interested in him,” Oxley revealed.

Their possible addition would bolster the Blue Bulls’ forward pack and Oxley is expecting Central West to be stronger in 2010 after finishing third in the Caldwell Cup in March this year.

“I believe we’re going to have a stronger season this year ... (and) I believe that we had the team last year to win the comp,” Oxley said.

“The competition is tough at the top and we put ourselves in that category.

“We’re ranked third (in 2009) and we want to improve on that and some of the players thought that was a bit extravagant last year, (but) not making the final, I’d consider that to be disappointing.”

Central West opens take on Central North in a trial match at Wade Park on January 30 before the opens and under 20s play a second trial against Tuggeranong Vikings in Parkes on February 20.

Three more trials against Canberra Royals in Cowra, Lincoln University from New Zealand in Bathurst and a yet-to-be-confirmed match will also follow in the lead-up to the Caldwell Cup.

Central West kick-off their campaign against New England at an undecided venue on March 20 before heading to Belmont on February 27-28 for the Country Weekend carnival.