Defending premiers Wallerawang has gone into recess after two terrific campaigns while 2016 champions Villages United has also folded.

The player drain for one-team clubs the catalyst for two of the mid-west premiership’s strongest outfits collapsing.

With two powerhouse clubs now out of the picture, a title will land in new hands in 2018 – and there’s three clubs firmly in the frame to secure the coveted second division prize.

Round one of the competition begins this Saturday with CSU Bathurst hosting Portland, the Orange Barbarians welcoming Lithgow Bears and Blackheath – the Blackcats missed the 2017 season – kicking off their comeback parade at Don Bradman Oval against a visiting Kandos.

Expect big campaigns from all three opening round hosts.

“I think with the group of blokes we have and the strong run in the semis last year, we’ve set ourselves a top-two finish and a premiership as our goals,” Barbarians president-prop Paul Rudd said.

The Barbarians have largely been underwhelming in the New Era Cup, but last year’s preliminary final appearance and success at the competition’s pre-season knockout has Ben Gosper’s men primed for a big 2018.

The red, white and blues play at Wade Park on Saturday.

“Our form looks good running into the season,” Rudd added.

The Mungoes appeared in the 2017 grand final but couldn’t overcome a powerful Warriors in the big dance.

Huge player turnover always hurts the students but Oscar Thorburn has his sights set on going one step further.

“We are looking good for the season with a few big losses, but a lot of big gains. Season goal is to win the comp,” the CSU Bathurst half said.

“Six teams means we don't get to play as much footy and means we need to come out strong in the first few rounds to not have as much pressure on us in the back-end of the season to make finals comfortably.”

He said Izaac Scott, Daniel Kennedy and Aiden Howey have trialed strongly and have brought new energy to the team while Billy Dickinson “looks in career best form” and could carry the Mungoes all the way. 

And then there’s the Blackcats from Blackheath.

Under the guidance of 2017 Bathurst St Pat’s half Matt Ranse, the Blackheath boys will be tough to toss in their return to the premiership and will figure prominently come the pointy end of the season.

Round one of the new, six-team New Era Cup competition is on Saturday.