Let's break down the league's leading 1-15.

1 CHARLIE FRENCH (Forbes Platypi)

French had another typically strong year, leading the Platypi and Central West Blue Bulls scrum which resulted in another deserved NSW Country selection.

This one isn't really a discussion, really, he's the premier loosehead prop in the top tier and has been for some time.

2 CHARLES HENLEY (Orange Emus - captain)

Has been a revelation since joining the greens and was finally available to make his Central West debut this season. He was arguably the Blue Bulls' best forward in their Caldwell Cup win, and earned a deserved NSW Country gig.

He's probably the most obvious choice to skipper this side too... we love front-rowers as captains, they're in the mix every minute of the game and all the referees love them.

So, yes, we've got Charles In Charge - there's a great reference for you.

3 TOM CUMMINS (Cowra Eagles)

Cummins has been around for some time and he's probably never received the kudos he deserves, considering he's somewhat undersized for a tighthead prop.

The Eagles' bookend won that recognition this season though, leading the minor premiers' powerful scrum with aplomb and being named player-of-the-year for his efforts.

It's actually his work outside the set-piece that makes him some valuable to the Eagles though - he hustles, he bustles and consistently makes a big impact on both sides of the ball.

4 JUSTIN MOBBS (Bathurst Bulldogs)

Who'd have thunk a wirey, reserve grade fullback would become a regular for Central West and NSW Country in the second-row?

Dean Oxley did, obviously, back when he floated the idea a few years ago.

We've waxed lyrical about how successful that move has been, but we can't go a season without mentioning it again because Mobbs' move has just been so effective for Bulldogs, the Blue Bulls and the Cockatoos.

Another excellent season, spotlighted by another NSW Country selection. Easy choice, this one.

5 NICK HUGHERS-CLAPP (Orange Emus)

Yes, he missed the last third of the season after rupturing his Achilles against Cowra in round 12.

Yes, there was some strong contenders for this spot that played the entire season.

Yes, he made himself unavailable for Central West this year as well.

But anyone who genuinely thinks Hughes-Clapp isn't the premier second-rower in the Blowes Clothing Cup is... well, they're just not correct.

It's no coincidence Emus weren't as effective at the set-piece after he got hurt, as much the scrum as the line-out too - second-rowers' influence at scrum-time is severely underrated.

But even in just two thirds of the regular season he did more than enough to justify us picking him in this side.

6 WILL ARCHER (Dubbo Kangaroos)

It's probably too much of a stretch to say 2021 was a breakout year for Archer, but he certainly went to another level this season for both Dubbo and Central West.

In saying that, he still somewhat flew under the radar.

But there's no doubt both Roos and Central West would've had a gaping hole to fill without Archer on the side of the scrum. Very unlucky not to earn a Cockatoos jersey.

7 JACK MARCHINTON (Orange Emus)

It's still somewhat bewildering to us that this bloke hasn't received higher honours, namely a player-of-the-year gong, because he's never been available to play for Central West.

He was the best breakaway in the Blowes Clothing Cup, by the length of the straight, in the opening half of the season.

By his standards, perhaps his performance wavered slightly later in the year, but he was still the most consistent flanker across the board, so that gives you an indication of how good he really is.

8 TIM BERRY (Cowra Eagles - vice-captain)

Cowra's skipper who, admittedly, played virtually the entire season in the second-row... but we'd wager there's no one would argue his versatility nor his experience in the back-row.

In this side, in particular, shifting Berry to the back-row - he and Archer could easily switch between No.6 and No.8 too - puts the competition's three premier lineout generals in the same side.

Between Hughes-Clapp, Mobbs and Berry, there's not a pack that we've seen that would be able to compete with that lineout.

9 MAHE FANGUPO (Forbes Platypi)

No explanation needed. Next.

10 GUS ROBERTS (Orange Emus)

It took about 15 minutes for the former Melbourne Rebel to stamp his authority on the Blowes Clothing Cup, scoring one try and setting up two more in the opening stages of his first appearance for Emus.

There isn't much else to say here, Roberts is by far the classiest play-maker in the top tier and also in the Central West. Would've been a non-negotiable for the Blue Bulls, and probably NSW Country, had he been available.

But, Cowra's Bill Cummins also had an outstanding season and was a real shout for this spot, so we can't leave him without a mention here.

11 NOAH RYAN (Cowra Eagles)

Played fullback after coming into the Eagles' top side but, like any good back three member, wouldn't have an issue shifting to the wing and no one is displacing Roos' custodian Joe Nash from the fullback spot.

He actually only came into Cowra's first XV in round six, but even playing just the last two thirds of the season he still finished as the Blowes Clothing Cup's top point-scorer, scoring tries and sharp-shooting from the tee.

As a 20-year-old rugby league convert, there's no doubt Ryan has a high ceiling, so we're intrigued to see just how high that might be in coming seasons.

12 LACHIE HARRIS (Orange Emus)

Harris is bordering on Fangupo territory here, he's the best inside centre in the competition, the Central West and pretty close to NSW Country.

Let's move on.

13 VILIKESA QIO KOILAGI (Cowra Eagles)

Flew under the radar.

There's a lot of big names floating around in No.13 jerseys - think Filisione Pauta and Nigel Staniforth - but we're firmly of the opinion Koilagi was the best of the outside centres this season.

A barnstorming ball-carrier, hits like a freight-train, has the silky ball skills akin to any great play-maker and an incredibly deft touch with the boot too.

14 ADAM PLUMMER (Bathurst Bulldogs)

Has long-been considered as a winger who could, potentially, work his way into the discussion of the most influential in the competition. We're going to say he reached that potential this season.

Has always been solid as a rock, incredibly pacy and strong in contact - very strong, in fact.

Developed further in 2021 and busted his way through the ceiling to earn a spot in the NSW Country Cockatoos squad, turning his sporadic game-breaking efforts into a consistent occurrence at Ashwood Park and beyond.

15 JOE NASH (Dubbo Kangaroos)

Nash has always been excellent, whether that's playing five-eighth, centre, wing or fullback.

The most obvious change in 2021 was the sheer amount of size he added to his frame, without losing any of his trademark speed or elusiveness. What makes that more impressive is it came after a serious knee operation.

Clearly, he took his rehabilitation seriously, and it worked.

An incredible showing at the NSW Country Championships earned him player-of-the-tournament in Central West's title win, and a spot in the Cockatoos spot.

BENCH:

16 Gabe Brown (Cowra Eagles) 17 Josh Tremain (Orange City Lions) 18 Digby Cooper (Orange Emus) 19 Miniti Tonga (Forbes Platypi) 20 Bill Cummins (Cowra Eagles) 21 Hunter Davis (Bathurst Bulldogs) 22 Buzz Webber (Bathurst Bulldogs).

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