Captain Nick Foster is coming off his maiden first-grade century, all-rounder Nathan Hudson sits inside the district's top 10 with both bat and ball for 2020-21, Dan Bailey was crucial in helping his side secure outright points on Saturday after topping the wicket charts last season, fellow rookie James King steered his club to a Tom Locker Cup final victory earlier this month and there are five players who have represented the Bush Blues previously.

Newcastle starts their state-title defence on Friday with the first of three, straight 50-over fixtures at Tuggerah Regional Sporting Complex.

"Nick's coming off 100, Kingy got 100 in the one-day final, Brad [Aldous] is taking wickets so we're tracking well," Burley said.

"We're not getting too far ahead of ourselves, but it's where you want to be.

"Now it's up to us to perform across the three days. You've got play well because everyone has dangerous players and it's only a short tournament."

Newcastle have the chance to claim back-to-back crowns for the first time since a successful run between 2008-09 and 2010-11.

In the ensuing carnivals they have added another four trophies to the cabinet (2013-14, 2015-16, 2017-18, 2019-20) but not consecutively.

"That's a bit of extra motivation," Burley said.

Also providing an incentive for individuals is higher honours with Bush Blues selection on offer despite the Australian Country Championships having been cancelled.

A tri-state series between NSW, Queensland and ACT will be held in Canberra in January with another two T20 matches against the NSW Indigenous squad in the pipeline.

"I think it's great there's still going to be something on," Burley, also the Bush Blues assistant coach, said.

"Obviously it will be a shorter format, but it's meaningful and better than just naming a merit squad."

Newcastle, who welcomed back Jed Dickson after Jacob Montgomery withdrew with injury last week, open proceedings against Central North before meeting North Coastal on Saturday and hosts Central Coast on Sunday.

Stockton pair, paceman Tom O'Neill and new recruit Jared Humphreys, will line-up for Central North and North Coastal respectively.

University captain Andrew Harriott was named for Central North but may opt to play with the Sea Dragons instead on Saturday.

Ryan Fenning and Dylan Robertson, both part of Toronto's premiership campaign in 2018-19, again link with Central Coast.

Riverina have already qualified for the NSW Country Championships final, which is set to be held next month, having wrapped up the southern pool on Sunday.

SQUAD: Nick Foster (c), Daniel Arms, Aaron Wivell, Nathan Hudson, James King, Adrian Chad, Ryan Van Kemenade, Ben Balcomb, Josh Geary, Dan Bailey, Aaron Bills, Brad Aldous, Jed Dickson.

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