GROUP 11 secretary Ross McDermott has labelled the fact only one NRL trial match was played in the bush as "atrocious" but is confident of a game being played in the west in 2017.
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The Canberra Raiders and Newcastle Knights met at Orange's Wade Park on Saturday evening and the match was hailed as a great success.
The Raiders won that match 34-28 in front of more than 7500 fans and following the game Canberra coach Ricky Stuart stated it was "unfair" the bush saw such little top flight footy.
McDermott agreed and was hopeful someone with such a high profile as Stuart talking about the matter would boost the chances of more matches being played in regional areas.
“Only one trial in the bush is atrocious, they say they're going to bring games out but we haven't seen it," he said.
"I went along and watched the preliminary games there and there was a good turnout.
“People will go to games in the bush so this certainly gives us a bit of hope and we will be pursuing a game next year."
While happy to bring any side west of the mountains, the Raiders, Knights and Penrith Panthers are the sides McDermott said he will be focused on bringing out but there are also conversations ongoing with Manly.
