But one mention of this weekend’s opening round was enough to lift the mood of arguably Group 11’s biggest signing ahead of 2018.

Toomey-White returns to Wellington Cowboys after playing with Wyong in the Intrust Super Premiership over the last two seasons.

Such is Toomey-White’s calibre, he was thrown the captain-coach’s job of the senior Group 11 side and although the 40-28 loss to the blue group hurt the hugely impressive backrower, he saw plenty of positives for the competition proper out of the 12-point defeat.

“It’s actually going to be a pretty tight competition,” he beamed, Jets play-makers Travis Lowe and Tyrone Walsh two of his side’s best.

“There’s been some stand-outs (on Saturday), the young halves and our hooker in Wessie (Middleton), they’re all Narromine boys.

“CYMS will be there, their forwards were mobile (against Group 10) and they’re always a fit side, Nyngan will be competitive again and it’s really good for our group.”

Toomey-White said such a strong competition will lift the region’s communities as well, and there won’t be a greater example of that this season than in his home town.

On the back of the additions of ex-NRL stars Nathan Merritt and Timana Tahu, as well as a handful of other seriously classy players, the Cowboys should contend for a premiership this season.

It’ll be a ride all of Wellington will be on board for.

“And Wellington, being part of that team, we’ve trained hard and we’ve got some good players there. It’s really good for our group, it’s going to be competitive every single weekend, we’re not guaranteed a win anywhere we go,” he said.

“It’s a great step for our group to have really good sides and it builds for our communities on the back of that.”