Temora heads into the West Wyalong Knockout without their two main recruits.
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Halfback Jarrod Lee and centre Blake Appo arrived in town from Toowoomba club Highfields last week but are unavailable for the first pre-season test this weekend.
With work commitments following the move the pair aren't available until next week, putting a thorn in the plans of coach Sam Elwin.
"It's obviously not ideal, but we have a lot of trial games so I'm not entirely worried about it," Elwin said.
However the Dragons will unveil another new signing with Zach Starr set to start in the front row.
Originally from Grenfell, Starr played junior footy with the Dragons and links with them from Cowra.
Elwin has been impressed so far.
"He's a good player actually and has been very promising at training," he said.
"Hopefully we can get a bit of help with a few more front rowers coming to town."
The Dragons are still working on a couple of Papua New Guinea recruits following Elwin's time there as part of the Country tour.
However immigration issues mean they are yet to lock anything in.
Temora tackles Griffith Black and Whites in the first round at West Wyalong.
Elwin played alongside the Group 20 club's captain-coach Andew Lavaka against South Sydney last weekend and knows he's in for a tough test.
"He is a good player," he said.
"I'm looking forward to going up against him but I'm not looking forward to going up against him at the same time."
He expects there will be a lot of skill in the side and is hoping to limit Lavaka and Michale Michell's influence on the game.
Black and Whites are making their first appearance at the event in 15 years after being one of the last clubs to enter.
They play at 7.40pm the second of the five first round games.
Southcity and TLU kick things off at 7pm with the last game between Young and Mudgee starting at 9.40pm.
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