Widders was one of many key signings the reigning minor premiers had made as they were gearing up to make a push towards a Group 10 title, with the 25-year-old set to fill a void at the fullback position.

As it turned out, the Bathurst knockout in March would be the only time Widders would spend playing with Heta as the COVID-19 debacle saw the competition fold at the start of June, leaving the livewire with limited playing options for his one-year stint in the Central West.

It was looking like a quiet season for Widders in 2020 but with Tom Nell as his housemate, a switch to rugby union was always going to be on the cards and the City Lions' halfback convinced him to spend the winter at Pride Park.

"He [Nell] said I might as well come have a run while I'm here," Widders said.

"Rakai [Tuheke] said he was going there and at least this way it makes the stay here not wasted... I thought why not?'

Widders' rugby union experience is limited and he's not sure what to expect when he laces up the boots in the looming Blowes Clothing Cup season.

"I've played nines and sevens but never 15-a-side," he said.

"It'll definitely get me out of my comfort zone.... I think I'll play fullback.

"It's a completely different sport and so different to what I'm used to."

While some aspects of fullback will carry over to union, Widders anticipates that he'll find it challenging to be in the right spots on the field when the Lions kick-off their season against Dubbo Kangaroos on July 25.

"I think the positional play and knowing when to kick and run will be hard for me," he said.

"Viv [Paasi] told me to not go away from what I'm good at. So, If I see a gap I've got to take it."

"I feel like a lost puppy at training with some of the drills."

Making the switch to a different code on short notice is a tall ask for anyone but Widders hopes the work he's been putting in throughout the break will make the transition a bit smoother.

"I've been keeping busy," he said.

"My body was so sore after being around the ruck at training, though. We really picked up the intensity."

Widders doesn't have a wealth of knowledge about the competition in the Central West and even though City didn't get a win on the board in 2019, he thinks there's a talented roster developing at Pride Park.

"We've got a few league boys coming over and just a bit of quality all around," he said.

"There's a bloke who played Chute Shield who's from the city. It's a fairly decent squad."

The Lions will enjoy a bye in the opening round which will give Widders and some of the Hawks boys the chance to get out and have a look at their competition. "We'll get to go watch some other games and see what the standard's like," he said.

"I'd say the local footy will be pretty expansive with a few more risks taken... other teams will be strong.

"Our first game's against Dubbo and that will be tough. It should be strong competition."