It hasn't happened since 2014 though and while that's not discrediting the blokes that have donned the jersey since - they've busted their guts - it's not a coincidence that's the last time the Blue Bulls were crowned NSW Country Rugby Union's best.

It looks like they'll go close to doing it in 2019 though.

With Central West CEO Matt Tink and head coach Dean Oxley pulling the strings the Blue Bulls' country week preparations so far have been meticulous and unprecedented in many ways, considering they toured New Zealand earlier this month.

A number of the Blue Bulls' best in last year's Caldwell Cup decider loss at Warren didn't go on that tour but that served to give some fringe and unknown players a chance to stick their hands up - which several did, in a big way.

So much so the player pool selectors have to choose from sits at around 40 despite the fact there's a handful of players, a couple of whom I'd consider walk-up starts, that are definitely unavailable.

With more training sessions to come and the opening rounds of Central West's various competitions acting as a selection tool as well, there's still looks a chance for other players to potentially force their way into that group too.

They're positive signs, by anyone's standards.

With that kind of preparation I think Central West are well-placed to win back the Caldwell Cup and re-stamp their authority as NSW Country's premier region - well-placed to win, not certain to.

If those handful of definitely-unavailable players did stick their hands up though, well, remember what I said at the start of this piece?

I think you see where I'm going with this.

Yes, I've decided to sit down and pick what I think is Central West Rugby Union's absolute best side, with everyone an option.

It's an outfit I'd back to win the Caldwell Cup, without a second of doubt.

He's a NSW Country Cockatoos incumbent and has led the Blue Bulls' pack and Forbes' for the last couple of years, the region's best loosehead prop.

Desperately unlucky to miss out on the Cockatoos side last year after his showings in Warren and, simply, a pretty complete hooker. 

Just pips Orange Emus' Tom Goolagong for the starting spot but they'd combine in a serious hooking rotation.

A wrecking ball.

He was huge in Warren last year and has been the foundation for Emus' dominant scrum in recent seasons, particularly in their Blowes Clothing Cup premiership win last year.

A former Cockatoo who has some Intrust Super Shute Shield experience, although he hates that being brought up.

He's the best lineout jumper in the region - I'd challenge anyone to find me a person who doesn't agree with that - but is far from limited to the set-piece, pretty complete as a second-rower.

Rock solid.

Skippered Central West last year, earned Cockatoos selection and was a major reason Cowra went on to finish third in the Blowes Clothing Cup after, intitially, being considered for Central West's second tier.

Versatile too, can cover the back-row if needed.

Although he's played plenty of second-row he's a genuine No.6, is also another Cockatoos incumbent and is another who's been among the Central West's best at club and representative level for a number of years.

Ruptured his ACL at Warren last year but is set to be fit for country week this year, which is huge for Roos and for Central West.

He was skippering Randwick's Shute Shield side just a couple of years ago, so there's no debate here.

Seems to be getting transformed from a back-rower to a hooker after spending time there for NSW Country last season, but in my mind his best spot is still No.8.

Has good skills and often acts as a link man for Bulldogs, does it well too, and that's handy for any side but he's most effective when he's playing direct.

He was player-of-the-tournament at country week last year playing five-eighth and I think we'll see him there again for the Blue Bulls in 2019.

There's no doubting how good he is at first five too because the runs are on the board - he played there in the Blue Bulls' 2014 title win too, but I've never seen nor played against a halfback that creates more doubt in a defensive line than he does. 

Yes, you've read that correctly.

I realise Johnston played almost all of 2018 in second grade for Bulldogs, he's certainly not the youngest anymore and has played plenty of fullback in his years too, but I've had no hesitation picking him at 10 here.

He's as reliable and unflappable as they come and his direct style of play would suit sitting outside Fangupo magnificently, whether he's in Bathurst's first XV or not.

And do not for a minute think me picking Johnston is a jab at Bulldogs' 2018 five-eighth Brad Glasson.

I rate Glasson, he did a great job last year and was crowned player-of-the-year as a result but I'm quite happy to say I consider him a better halfback than five-eighth.

Broke into the Cockatoos squad in 2018, several years after representing NSW Country at the colts level.

There was many who said it was a long-overdue selection, and I agree with that.

He's hardly a winger in the traditional mould considering he almost never kicks, but is among the premier players in his position outside of Sydney.

Suprises me he hasn't cracked the NSW Country level, although admittedly there are a number of excellent inside centres who have done so in that period.

He's the best No.12 in the Central West though.

Was suspended for last year's country championship but this former Cockatoo is widely-regarded as Central West's best outside back, has been for some time.

Fangupo was brilliant but I actually thought Webber - known affectionately as Buzz - was Central West's best at Warren last year, and I was disappointed for him when he missed out the final NSW Country squad too.

He's fast, super fast, and is unpredictably strong. As good a centre as he is winger.

Definitely isn't available and may be getting on in years, but I'm inclined to think Oxley would kill to have Staniforth at his disposal.

One of, if not the most experienced player in the Central West afters years in the Intrust Super Shute Shield and at the professional level, all over the world.

He's delivered for Emus week-in, week-out whether it's at centre or fullback and is a major reason the for the greens' success in recent years.

16 JOE DAKUITOGA (Cowra Eagles), 17 TOM GOOLAGONG (Orange Emus), 18 JOHN ELLIS (Narromine Gorillas), 19 SHAUN McHUGH (Dubbo Kangaroos), 20 JUSTIN MOBBS (Bathurst Bulldogs), 21 SHAHID KHALFAN (Harden Red Devils), 22 JACK O'CONNOR (Harden Red Devils), 23 MOA KAVEAFIAFI (Geurie Goats)