Purtell joined the club in December and Leeton has since been hard at training ahead of its first hit-out and the coming Group 20 season.

"Training has been going well and everyone is keen for West Wyalong," Purtell said.

"You can take a squad of 25, but only 20 can play so we'll probably just take the 20.

"You've got 15 minutes each way, so you've really got to control the ball. You don't want to be giving it away and be tackling for 15 minutes because it'll be hot and you'll run out of energy.

"They're low-scoring games and it'll be a good chance to get some match fitness.

"It won't be an easy game against Southcity."

Supporters will have to wait a bit longer to see how their new coach performs on the field, with Purtell not playing after having surgery recently. He will play in the Greens strip for the first time when Leeton travels away for a trial match against Lavington.

However, Purtell said not playing over the knockout will give him the chance to see what his players can do.

"With the game coming up, the boys have been putting extra in at training," he said. "I won't be playing, I had some surgery the other day, but I'll be right for the trial against Albury, so that'll be my first hit-out.

"It'll be a proper trial game. Lavington are one of the top sides in the Riverina and it should be good.

"This weekend will be good because I've only seen a bit of how some of the boys play.

"I've watched one DVD, so it'll be good to watch them for half-an-hour in a game.

"There are a lot of blokes pushing for first grade and this will be an opportunity to show what they can do."

After tonight's games, all winners and the highest ranked loser qualify for quarter-finals on Saturday.

Yanco-Wamoon has not nominated for the knockout as it is on the hunt for a coach.

Former leader Warren Weir has retired and the Hawks were set to sign the talented Jay Little, who has played for them in the past, but he signed on with Group 9 club Wagga Kangaroos.