The Bears will play the Mudgee Dragons, Bathurst St Pat’s and Orange Hawks in the opening three rounds and face all three at King George Oval.

Tim Mortimer’s Blayney outfit only travels once in the first six weeks, with an away trip to Cowra in round four followed by a bye in round five and then another home game in round six, which is against the Oberon Tigers.

In the midst of pre-season training, Mortimer says the club has little to fuss about after being dealt a handy draw to begin 2018.

“I’ve had a quick breeze over (the draw), there’s nothing to complain about,” Mortimer said.

“Those first few home games are great. There’s an opportunity to start well and from there continue on with some good form.”

Blayney’s home run over the opening three weeks is a gift stemming from a host of other clubs being homeless to start the season.

St Pat's new ground isn’t available until round three while Carrington Park is out of action in the lead-up to Penrith’s NRL game against the Cowboys on May 4, rending Panthers homeless for about a month.

Both CYMS and Hawks are without the use of Wade Park in Orange for the first two weeks of the new season.

Still, Mortimer, the 2017 premiership winning lock with CYMS, believes it’s a positive way for the Bears to start 2018 on the back of a win less season last year.

“It would have been harder for us (to start on the road) on the back of not winning any games last year,” he said.

“I’d love to see some of the Blayney community there to see us start the season. It’d be great to see plenty of faces there in the crowd to support us.”

Mortimer said numbers at pre-season training have been encouraging, but he’s hoping more players emerge.

The Bears will kick-off 2018 with a trial against Woodbridge Cup club Manildra on February 24, a date that also doubles as the club’s season launch, from 7.30pm at the Bowling Club.

“Training has been very positive at the moment. The boys are learning a lot, and we’re working hard. It’s ideal,” he said.

“It is early days though, I hope numbers rise closer to the season. We’ve got a tight group that’s working hard at the moment.”

The Bears league tag girls will take on the Rhinos from 4.30pm at King George, with the seniors playing from 5.30pm on February 24.