A month out from the West Wyalong Knockout, the annual event will already be bigger than last year's disappointment.
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Only 10 of the 16 slots were filled in 2019, but already 12 teams, including the Young Cherrypickers, have been locked in for the pre-season competition on February 28 and 29.
At Christmas time six teams had sent in their entry packs and that number has doubled with defending champions Goulburn Workers among the latest teams to sign on.
Organiser Nicole Wood is pleased to see the return of the strong numbers.
"It's looking positive," Wood said.
"We'll be at least be able to run it as normal this year even if there is only 12, but we are still on the look out for a couple more and there are a few who have said they are definitely keen but haven't got their paper work in.
Clubs still have until February 12 to enter, which is when the club hopes to complete the draw.
However Wood believes the return in numbers show there is still plenty of interest.
"It is always going to happen as a new coach comes and they don't want to do it and obviously there are other pre-season comps around and a lot go to Canberra, so it is hit and miss sometimes," she said.
"It is good to be getting the numbers back especially as next year will be our 50th year so we will try to amp up the numbers again."
It is good to be getting the numbers back especially as next year will be our 50th year
- Organiser Nicole Wood
There is also a strong mix of different groups represented.
Young and Temora have joined Group Nine rivals Southcity and Kangaroos while Group 20 premiers Darlington Point Coleambally are back again.
With Group Seven club Nowra-Bomaderry Jets entering alongside Group 11 club Dubbo Macquarie and three from the Canberra Raiders Cup five different competitions will be represented.
Wood is pleased to see some returning faces.
"Yass Magpies have come on board and they haven't played since 2006 so it is good to get a few old ones coming back," she said.
"The likes of Woden, Nowra and Wagga Kangaroos all had last year off so they are obviously keen to come back and do enjoy."
One club still yet to confirm whether they will be back in last year's beaten finalists Brothers.
The Group Nine club went down in an extra-time thriller but new captain-coach Cameron Breust is unsure whether they will be back in an attempt to go one better.
