The Mudgee Dragons visit Blayney on Sunday for their long-awaited season opener and have named club president and team captain Jared Robinson as the halfback.

“It’s certainly not a role I’d say I’m used to or have played significant time in,” Robinson said.

“Timmy Condon is our normal half but he’s taking a break from footy and we weren’t able to secure a number seven in the pre-season.

“BG (Ben Gregory) thought it would be a good idea if I played there and I’m happy to do what he feels is best for the team.”

Another talking point to come out of Mudgee’s premier league line-up is the strength it has at the front row spot which features Chanse Burgess and Jack Afamasaga – two talented big men who showed promise in the pre-season.

Regardless of what the Dragons’ team sheet looks like, the primary focus this weekend is simple – starting the season with a win.

“Similar to us, Blayney has had a lot of personnel changes with a new captain-coach and a few players out with new ones in,” Robinson said.

“In regards to what Blayney’s brought in the last couple of years, that’s not much help to us. We’ve got to go in there expecting a fully different side.

“Blayney at Blayney is always a tough task and one of our longest road trips. To get it first trip, it is a danger game for us. We’ve had a really good pre-season and we’re looking forward to kicking the year off with a win”.

Something Mudgee hasn’t had the pleasure of in past seasons is depth – particularly in the first division side.

However, coach Sebastian Flack has named 24 players for this weekend’s tussle at Blayney which has come as a nice surprise to Robinson.

“Twenty-plus blokes named is a huge advantage for us,” Robinson said. “Our depth hasn’t always been the greatest but the strength of the club overall is told a lot by the depth in the reserve grade side”.