The five-team competition has turned on some classic matches this season, and is always good for a few head-high tackles and melees.

Every player on this list has the ability to make an impact at a higher level, but have chosen to compete alongside their mates instead.

There's been over 50 solid performers throughout this year's season, but The Central Western Daily has the task of narrowing it down to a list of 20.

So, here goes nothing.

He showed promise in his maiden Mid-West last year but this winter, the six-foot-five back rower has absolutely exploded.

After coming up at Bathurst Panthers, the 21-year-old relocated to Diggings Oval when Group 10 decided to call off its 2020 season, and hasn't looked back since.

His ball skills and physicality make him an imposing player, but his ability to play big minutes with high intensity is second-to-none.

Throw an aggressive game style and a knack for goal-kicking into the mix, and you've got the Mungoes' best player.

Considering the uni lads locked up the minor premiership, you can't have him anywhere else.

If this were a list of most intimidating Mid-West players, Walsh would take up every spot in the top 20.

The barnstorming Colts back-rower brings a stack of aggression onto the field, and when he carries the footy, he's almost impossible to bring down.

Against United in the preliminary semi-final, he was carrying a convoy of Warriors every time he ran the ball, and he was doing it consistently as well.

To be the best forward on any team is impressive, but when you're out-performing Kyle Willmott, Hayden Cornwell, Jake Gale and Nick Miller, you're doing a pretty good job.

Walsh should be on Lithgow Workies radar ahead of 2022.

He was somewhat inconsistent during United's first year in the competition, but 'Bubba' has brought a revamped version of himself back to the paddock in 2021.

He's 15 kilograms down and for someone who plays in the centres, he's got big running power.

Much like Walsh, Sutherland can bump off the vast majority of defenders in this competition and is an absolute godsend for Jacob Condello when his troops are coming out of their own end.

The only knock on his game is probably his work-rate as you'd like to see him carry the ball a few more times but nonetheless, he's held the key for United this year.

He brings a wealth of experience to Oberon and it's no surprise to see big Behan high on the list.

The combination of he and Luke Christie-Johnston makes for the best one-two front-row pairing in the league, and it's strange the team didn't do more damage with those two leading them.

It's hard to split the pair, but Behan has a bit more size and more overall experience at a high level.

He was a Group 10 first-grade captain in 2018 and could still play at the top if he wanted to. A menacing player both with and without the ball.

You'd think anyone who's played SG Ball with the Canberra Raiders would go alright in the Mid-West Cup.

Michael Latu has taken to this competition like a fish to water, and he's easily the most electrifying back in the league.

He's as safe as a bank under the high ball, and if he needs to beat a defender to find the try line, he'll do it 99 times out of 100.

Latu is that bloke you pray to never have to tackle in open space, because he'll leave you clutching at thin air.

He led the Tigers to a premiership in 2020, and has been sensational again this season.

He's another bloke with a big motor, and can whack in defence.

LCJ has been a stalwart at Oberon for many seasons, and is a first-ballot Tigers hall-of-famer.

He's clearly struggled with leg injuries in recent seasons, but continues to surge forward with massive carries and big minutes. A no brainer.

Fitness is this bloke's MO.

He's the heart and soul of the Mungoes' middle, and gets through a tonne of work every weekend.

His on-field chat is handy, and he plays well above his weight, especially when it comes to putting shots on.

Orange United sent a mountain of traffic in his direction during the grand-final qualifier, and Flanagan absorbed all of it.

You'd wonder if CSU would have had the season they did without his Flanagan's influence.

He's not the biggest back-rower, but Willmott will go head-to-head with anyone in this competition... or probably anyone on the face of the earth.

There's deceptive agility in his legs, and he's got the acceleration to wreak havoc in and around the ruck, especially against tired forwards.

Willmott has played a stack of games in the Mid-West Cup, and would be referred to as the king of Portland by many.

Unfortunately, he left the Colts' elimination final against United with an injury, and who knows what the result would have been if he stayed on the paddock.

A match-up nightmare for anyone opposite him.

This outside back is rangy, awkward, and downright lightning.

He's probably bagged more tries in this competition since 2017 than anyone else, and you could make the case he's improved every single season.

The angry mob will come running when they see four CSU players in the top 10, but this Mungoes quartet would be valuable assets to any Group 10 club, even if they were on the wing or coming off the bench.

Composure might not be his strong-suit, but when Matty Fuller puts it all together, he's must-see TV.

He's played a few different positions this year, and has even had a stint on the bench for disciplinary reasons, but at his peak, is scintillating.

From fullback, Fuller can make unlimited metres returning the Steeden, and is very tricky to get a hand on in a one-on-one situation, much like Latu.

If he can keep his temper under wraps, he could be one of the most explosive backs in the league.

#11 - Lochie Gilmore - Oberon Tigers

It's never easy replacing a player of Josh Rivett's caliber, but Gilmore did it nicely in 2021.

#12 - Will Cusack - Orange United Warriors

Returned to the field with a new-look physique and it's paid dividends.

#13 - Dion Jones - Orange United Warriors

Has played a few different positions this year but was a stand-out during United's grand-final qualifier, scoring three of the side's four tries against Portland.

#14 - John Aiaga - Lithgow Bears

It's hard to make the list when your side traveled so poorly, but this bloke was a shining light at Tony Luchetti.

#15 - Brad Osmotherly - Portland Colts

Moved to the Central West from the Hawkesbury area and was a key component during Portland's impressive campaign.

#16 - Lachie Wilson - CSU Mungoes

He's got more steps than the Great Wall of China, and he's a cracking bloke to-boot. Wilson's influence in the halves has been crucial this winter.

#17 - Ben French - Orange United Warriors

He's United's Mr fix it. Can play anywhere in the back-line and has done so throughout a season with plenty of shuffling.

#18 - Hayden Cornwell - Portland Colts

He's taken more hits than Google throughout his Mid-West career, but Cornwell just keeps coming. They breed them tough at Wang.

#19 - Blake Fitzpatrick/Caylib Marston - Oberon Tigers

The pair only played four games this year but their impact was immense.

#20 - Nick Miller/Jake Gale - Portland Colts

Couldn't split this duo, so why not have them both in? Jake Gale is as honest as the day is long, and Nick Miller has a truckload of talent. If the latter didn't get injured earlier in the season, he'd probably feature in the top five.

#21 - Terry Sayoun - Referees Association

What would this competition be without Terry?

The Mid-West referee has more caps than anyone in the competition, and has been a tower of strength for the league.

#22 - John Fitzgerald - Kandos Waratahs

One of the all-time great Mid-West characters. Fitzgerald recently released a book dedicated to the history of rugby league at Kandos, and even though he's well into his 70s, still makes it to every game he can.

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