I wondered how the Roosters would fare if they came up against some of the teams from my old stomping ground in Wagga Wagga and surrounds.

My hypothetical question could be answered if the rugby league fraternity could hatch a plan to establish a mammoth event featuring the respective Group champions from throughout NSW.

My mind raced and thought how great it would be if there was an end-of-season competition featuring all 16 Group winners taking part in a round robin tournament, with the eventual winner being crowned Country Rugby League Champions.

Each Group’s area could take turns in hosting the event which would be a huge economic boost to a town over perhaps a weekend or long weekend, a two-or-three day

competition. The travelling support would descend on the host town to cheer on their local rugby league teams.

Imagine the interest in a clash between Thirlmere/ Tahmoor and Temora from Group 9 or against any of the Group 20 heavyweights such as Yenda or Yanco-Wamoon.

This would indeed be a true champion of champions tournament which could surely only bolster the popularity of rugby league throughout the state.

When I put the idea to Country Rugby League operations manager Bert Lowrie, he told me the idea had already been raised but because of a number of reasons, had never gotten off the ground.

‘‘We embarked on something even bigger trying to involve every Group club some years ago but it never worked,’’ he said.

‘‘The question is: when do you do it, at the beginning of the season or at the end of the season?’’

Although a good idea in theory, I thought, the logistical nightmare the event would pose would make it almost impossible to stage.

Throw in match fitness being down after a tough season and winners from the weaker Groups feeling as if they would be hitting their heads on a brick wall, trying to beat the silvertail clubs of the league, and the idea starts to become a pie-in-the-sky notion.

But it doesn’t stop me envisaging the Roosters’ Jensen and crew trying to crack the tough nut Yanco-Wamoon Hawks’ hardmen defensive line.

Maybe one day!