Nathan Rose will begin his reign as Southcity captain-coach with a clash against Dubbo Macquarie at the West Wyalong Knockout next week.
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The draw for the popular pre-season event has been released with last year's grand finalists to take on the Group 11 club in their return to the competition.
Rose admitted he will be heading north with little knowledge of his rivals.
"I reckon they will be pretty strong," Rose said.
"I don't really know too much about them but I know they are always competitive and have a pretty strong side."
The Bulls will have a different looking line up to the one who was beaten by Tumut in last year's grand final.
They've lost premiership-winning coach Nick Skinner and Jake Dooley for 2020 while Mitch Curran and Simon Parr are both unavailable for West Wyalong.
Former coach Kyle McCarthy is unavailable if they make it through to Saturday while new recruit Cody Hodge also isn't expected to play after breaking his hand in the off-season.
It means Tyson Hodge and Dana Ratu will be the only new faces in the side.
Rose admitted the Knockout is part of the Bulls rebuild.
"For us we are back on the building blocks essentially as we've had a few move on," he said.
"We have to look to build off what we've got so when it comes to round one we are ready to go."
Despite missing some key players, Rose is confident with the work done so far in pre-season has them in good stead for another strong performance at West Wyalong.
"We have to make do with what we've got but I'm still pretty confident the bloke I've got there will do a big job," he said.
While it will be his first time leading the club, Rose hasn't thought too much of it.
"I'm more focusing on trying to get the team right," he said.
"I guess the captain-coach will just come as it is."
There has been a mixed bag for Group Nine clubs with the draw.
Temora will kick the competition off at 6.30pm up against Group 20 club Leeton with Young to follow with their clash with Group 11's Forbes.
However Kangaroos have been handed a hard task up against defending champions Goulburn in the final game of the night at 10.30pm.
In the other games Tullibigeal Lakes United face Yass, Griffith Black and Whites tackle Woden while the hosts face Nowra Bombaderry Jets.
With 14 teams to take part this year the 'best loser', based on for and against, will be given a second chance in Saturday's quarter-finals.
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