The game's close proximity to Orange will afford them a chance to see their sporting heroes in the flesh, something which would usually require at least a six-hour round trip to Sydney.

It's a rare opportunity, with the Central West hosting just two elite-level rugby league games each year: a Panthers home game in Bathurst, and the preseason Charity Shield between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and St George-Illawarra Dragons at Mudgee's fantastic Glen Willow Sporting Complex.

Those not journeying east on the Mitchell Highway come Saturday afternoon may choose to watch the game on television. Should they find their mind wandering during the ad breaks, they might scan their phone or tablet in search of distraction.

If their eyes make their way to the Central Western Daily's website, they may well see Bill Walsh's outstanding letter, published on Thursday.

Having read it, their eyes will undoubtedly flicker back to the television screens, and a single question will surge to the fronts of the minds: when will Orange have a sporting stadium capable of hosting such a game?

It's a question, as Mr Walsh so pointedly observes, which can only be answered by NSW's recently-returned premier, Gladys Berejiklian.

It was Ms Berejiklian who first announced the $25 million in funding for the North Orange precinct during the state election campaign.

The fact that she couched her pledge in the condition that the Orange electorate vote for her Coalition's candidate, NSW Nationals' Kate Hazelton, was, in many ways, regrettable.

But now that the election dust has settled, and Orange's voters returned Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party incumbent MP Phil Donato to office with a drastically increased majority, the stadium question still needs to be asked of our premier.

Because this is an opportunity for Ms Berejiklian to prove that her new government's favours and funding will be based on need, not used as a reward for those who elected Liberal or Nationals candidates.

We are her constituents, too, and we deserve her and her government's consideration. Here's hoping that we get it.

And a new stadium, too.