Forwards do the hard yards while the backs sit there and look pretty?

Well, whoever coined that phrase would love this piece as the Wallerawang Landscaping Cup's most influential players are largely men in the middle.

Whether it be Oberon, CSU or Cargo, none of those sides could have played the way they played without a few courageous cats bulldozing through the centre.

On this list, The Central Western Daily will pay homage to those workhorses, as well as a few backs who did OK as well.

Without further adieu:

Influential doesn't just mean scoring tries and putting on big hits, it's about motivating your team. 'Juice' Osgood is Kandos encapsulated and the club wouldn't be what it is without him.

You don't become the competition's leading point scorer by accident. Kyran Ah See is only new on the scene but you'll be reading his name for a while.

'Sexy' Cal leads from the front every week and plays big minutes.

He didn't play every game for the Tigers but has lightning footwork and line-breaking ability.

Sellers is a model of consistency for the Tigers. Strong carries and a good offload.

15 is probably a bit lower than you'd normally see this man but with so much talent in this league, it seems appropriate. Gosper's a big hitter with a massive gas tank.

He's an awkward man to tackle with good footwork down the left edge.

A man mountain that no one wants to tackle. Aggressive and physical.

This youngster is an absolute livewire with the ball in-hand and can create a try-scoring opportunity from nothing.

A dangerous ball runner who tackles above his weight.

This fella has been a mainstay at Kandos for what feels like the last ten seasons.

He plays alongside his two brothers at the Tahs but even Lachie and Mick will tell you that the young five-eighth is the best of the trio.

The pivot's ability to steer a side around the paddock and kick goals is crucial to Kandos year after year, but his number one trait is his running game.

When he's on, he's very hard to handle and is the key to red and greens' success and Glen Osgood won't ever want to lose him, although he's certainly good enough to play at a higher level.

There wasn't a whole lot to cheer about at Lithgow this winter but former Workies' big man Nick Miller rolled his sleeves up for the Bears every weekend.

His willingness to charge the ball through the middle of the field was tricky for defensive lines to deal with as his sheer size and strength saw him poke his nose into open space frequently.

He might plan on returning to the Workies in 2021 but if the Bears are serious about contending in the Mid-west Cup, he's someone to keep around.

When it was decided that Group 10 football wouldn't be going ahead in 2020, Blayney Bears diehard Ryley Oborn didn't know where to go.

The Mid-west rugby league competition was about the only way he'd be able to play the code he loved, otherwise he'd have to mix it up with his brother at Rams rugby, and we all know he didn't want to do that.

So, the 21-year-old sought out a like-minded town like Cargo to play his footy for the winter, and boy are the Heelers glad he did so.

With a gas tank like Cameron Murray and toughness like Dallas Johnson, Ryley Oborn has been a tower of strength for the Heelers through the middle of the field.

His constant ball carrying and big minutes have been invaluable for the side that finished second and he'll be missed if he returns to Blayney in 2021.

Former CYMS hardman Adam Stanford almost didn't play for Jake Kelly's Barbarians in 2020 but my goodness, is the coach glad he did.

He closed out the season for Barbs with a Man-of-the-Match performance against cross-town rivals United Warriors, scoring the match-winning try and leaving his legacy in the Mid-west competition.

What makes his short stint at Barbarians even more impressive is that he's coming off a pair of knee reconstructions that almost put an end to his career at the ripe age of 24.

It feels like he'll go back to CYMS in 2021 but the impact he made with his punchy running and impactful defence gave Ben Gosper and back-rower brother he hasn't had in several season.

The kid from Canowindra is an absolute pain in the neck but he's come out for his sophomore season like a house on fire.

If he's not dribbling absolute rubbish to his teammates before the game, he's piercing through opposing defensive lines with deadly footwork or putting noted try scorers like Zach Leach-Deahm through holes.

And what makes Coady's game special is his willingness to defend - a luxury that's often lost in playmakers.

If he continues in this direction, he might just find himself playing Group 10 first grade in the next few seasons.

When the Central Western Daily asked Warriors captain-coach Kurt Beahan who some of his most impactful stars were in 2020, he spoke about Charters straight away.

The athletic edge forward has wreaked havoc throughout the Warriors' maiden season in the Mid-west Cup, his athleticism and power making him an absolute nightmare to bring to the ground.

If the men in teal wish to push for a premiership in 2021, they'd want to secure the signature of Tyrell Charters right now.

His name doesn't jump off the page like some of his teammates but Marston jumps out of acting half as well as anyone in the league.

He continuously finds defenders napping in and around the ruck and often set the pace for Tigers' playmakers like Josh Rivett and Blake Fitzpatrick to run amok out wide.

Marston's someone who has the ability to feature prominently in the top grade in 2021.

He didn't come to Cargo to play halfback but the switch the the seven panned out pretty well for the Group 10 veteran.

Jared Brodrick dictated the structure of his side more than any playmaker in the competition, and it's not even close.

While he didn't do as much running as many thought he would, his ball distribution and decision making set up the large majority of the Heelers' attacking raids.

What can we say about this young workhorse?

Nik Booth is the definition of 'all day'. The 20 year old has lifted the Mungoes' forward back like you'd never imagine and much like the man ahead of him on this list, he's the heartbeat of his team.

Bleeding nose, torn groin, or just flat out exhausted, Booth will be front and centre commanding the ball from the first minute to the 80^th minute.

Kudos on an absolutely sensational season.

This bloke is deadset Oberon Tigers through and through.

He's been plugging away in the top grade for over a decade and even though he doesn't look like a triathlete, he's got a motor like one.

He's been an absolute powerhouse through the middle of the field over the years and hits like a freight train.

The Tigers' forward pack would be lost without him.