But should those guys return and fire for their clubs, the race for this season's title could be turned on its head.

Walk past Brent Seager down the street and he's probably being swarmed by his daughters - he's basically a big teddy bear.

But on the field the Panthers prop is the hardest player in Group 10, and the major reason why the defending champions, with Dougie Hewitt in and out to start 2019, sit on top of the ladder.

Biggest compliment you can give a prop is to say their last run is just as hard as their first, and no one runs, or hits, harder than Seager.

THE 2018 GROUP 10 TOP 20: Who backed up from last year's list?

What year is this? Who cares. Jono's back and so is Lithgow.

Workies have won three of their last four games - the only loss a two-point defeat against the premiers in Bathurst - since the return of the veteran to surge up the Group 10 ladder, their last-start 26-10 win over Mudgee an indication of the sort of footy this side is capable of.

No one in the competition competes harder on every play than Van Veen and that edge will drive Workies into the top five and from there, well, who knows.

What we do know though: Lithgow has all of a sudden become everyone's least favourite road trip again.

Kicks goals and sets up big plays in clutch moments, and while those moments aren't here yet this season the premiers will be there when they arrive in August, and they'll turn to Wright to deliver.

The clever No.6 just needs to keep his cool in the regular season and avoid any further dates with the judiciary.

THE 2017 GROUP 10 TOP 20: Bamford blitzes 2017 season as CYMS rampage to title

One of the first blokes to impress Littlejohn during his early stages at Mudgee was Beasley. Same story with Western coach Tim Ryan, the Dubbo CYMS premiership winner loved the red-headed hooker.

He's fit, he's super strong and he competes on every play. The Dragons will finish in the top three this season, and if they're to make the leap and win a title, it'll be with Beasley leading the charge.

Boasts a level of footy no one else in the competition can play at. If he musters it up at the business end of the season and his Hawks teammates follow that lead, will go close to securing the club its first premiership since 2003.

No Saul Houma leaves a giant hole in Hawks' pack this season, in every sense of the word. But Coyte has stepped up to fill that role and the club hasn't missed a beat.

Used to have a couple of pretty monumental brain explosions in his game. He's slowly eradicating those in 2019 and has become one of Hawks' best forwards. Easily the most improved player in the competition.

No other coach in the competition leads from the front quite like Starling.

Uncompromising, tough and skilful the Oberon mentor is one of the best forwards in the Group and if the Tigers make the top five it'll be on the back of the former Knights bookend.

Hasn't set the world on fire in 2019 but his influence at Mudgee has been immense.

The bulk of the squad signed up on the back of the club luring the talented, former NRL halfback to Mudgee and with his experience calling the shots the Dragons are bound to finish in the top three.

Can he take the club to the premiership? That's the big question.

AT THE END OF THE DAY: Zone giants go back to the future, Osborne channels inner-McGinty

The former Gilgandra Panther and Parkes Spacemen rake has been electric for Hawks out of acting-half this season.

Really takes the pressure off Heta and halves partner Matt Boss and helps get the giant Hawks pack over the advantage line. Could be the key for the club taking the next step.

Was probably the best player in last year's grand final and had the Magpies won would have picked up the Dave Scott medal, but it can be a cruel game.

Is lightning quick at the back for Cowra and when on the field gives the black and whites a serious weapon to turn to.

WESTERN CLUSTER PHOTOS: All the action from the Group 10 and Group 11 derbies

Hard to have Dougie higher up this list, given Panthers continue to win despite the Group 10 half being on the sidelines.

But his influence off the field is unrivaled. The men in black play for their coach, and that means plenty.

CYMS are a completely different side with the former Titans, Panthers and Rabbitohs back rower on the field.

Has all the skills and he's virtually unstoppable close to the line - if he plays the bulk of the second round there's no reason the green and golds can't jag fifth spot on the ladder.

Imposing, a big motor, a hitter in defence and experience, Behan fits right in at Lithgow and his arrival has reaped immediate reward for Osborne and Workies.

The Lithgow boys are a different side turning the corner in 2019 and with three wins in their last four games Workies are a big finals chance.

Take this bloke out of St Pat's line-up in the previous month of the competition and they're like the kid that fell out of the tree - they're just not in it.

But with Hawkins' almighty charges and imposing defence the club is at least hanging onto the last branch.

Not sure whether this is a case of Sellers-inception or not, but Brien has been tremendous for the Tigers.

He then went to another level for Group 10 on Saturday. So much so, if there was a senior Western side picked at the end of that rep game Brien would have been the Rams custodian.

Panthers backline was strong enough to win a title last season but it wasn't explosive, not like it is in 2019 with Murray in the centres.

A genuine game-breaker with incredible acceleration - has the ability to turn half chances into points, a key reason the champions are again at the top of the tree in 2019.

LEAGUE TAG: Pearson, Naden star as Group 10's speedsters show Group 11 rivals how it's done

Lots of new faces at Mudgee this season, a lot of those in the pack. But the most impressive has been a returning big-bopper.

Chanse Burgess has a funny ability to break tackles and score tries, and when he's not doing those things he's kicking bombs or popping offloads. He's the point-of-difference in the middle for Mudgee and he's in-form in 2019.

Take these two out of any side and the wheels fall off, which was the case for a Hawks side that flew in 2018 but fell a game short of the decider after losing this pair.

They're back and leading the charge for the two blues. Can they stay healthy though?

Still the best short and long kicking game in Group 10. He'll change St Pats fortunes when he returns but the blue and whites' run might be left too late.

When Gordon returns the Magpies will go from a fringe top five side to a genuine top three contender. The only question is: when will the former Group 10 player of the year winner be back in black and white?