Orange City’s Harry Taberner and Brendon Longley, along with Emus’ Sam Chamberlain, Lachlan Harris, Luke Trott and Jack Marchinton have all been picked in the side for the first time.

Lions trio Blake Hummerston, Tom Nell and Ben Wright will return to the Blue Bulls set up for the second consecutive year along with one of Orange’s New South Wales Country colts representatives Brenton Braithwaite (Emus).

Of the 38 players who trialled on Sunday a train-on squad of 24 was selected, and Central West coach John Hamilton said several more names are to be added, including Orange City fullback Terry Brown, Orange’s other Cockatoo representative.

“We also still have a few more players we would like to see before making a decision,” Hamilton said.

“A lot of guys play summer sport, some were sick and some had work, so we think it’s only fair to give them a chance to show what they’ve got as well. With those half dozen or so the squad will be up to 30, then we will eventually cull it down to 25.”

Among the squad are Central West’s two other NSW Country representatives, Blayney No.8 Rick Scott and Forbes lock Daryen Hazell.

Hamilton said there were several Graincorp Cup players at the trial on Sunday.
“It was very encouraging,” he said.

“We had representatives from all the clubs, and plenty of [Graincorp] Cup guys. Some couldn’t make it, mainly the ones who live further out west and can’t commit, which is understandable.”

Hamilton highlighted CSU Bathurst’s colts as the main group of unseen players, and said they will get their chance at the Blue Bulls’ training sessions from here on.

“This Sunday we’ll be training as a squad at Emus again, at 4pm,” he said.

“After that our sessions should move to Sunday morning, but that isn’t confirmed as yet.”

CENTRAL WEST: Jayden Brown (Canowindra), Tom Nell, Ben Wright, Blake Hummerston, Harry Taberner, Brendon Longley (Orange City), Brenton Braithwaite, Sam Chamberlain, Lachlan Harris, Luke Trott, Jack Marchinton (Orange Emus), Angus Dom (Mudgee), Jock Grant, Jaymen Carter, Dylan Jones (Bathurst Bulldogs), Karl Oliver, James Dean, Riley Byrne (Parkes), Brad Collins (Dubbo Rhinos), Rick Scott (Blayney), Daryen Hazell (Forbes), Michael Thompson (CSU Bathurst), Khaleb Whitehurst, Marcus Burrell (club unknown).