The eight-tries-to-three result dips Western to a sixth straight round one exit in the country championships, be that in opens or under 23s, after a regional based championship was brought back in 2013.

Ryan said the Dragons were simply too good at Campbelltown Stadium on Saturday, but believes a move to a round robin in the pre-season will see the Rams emerge as a genuine contender at what is now the highest level championship CRL runs.

The CRL has kicked off its under 16s and under 18s country championships at the end of February for the last three seasons, with Western excelling at both levels.

“I don’t like the format, I’d love to see it go 16s, 18s, 23s and work it all together. It’ll give you a chance to atone and work on a few things,” Ryan said.

He also believes such a move will generate more interest in the concept, with CRL moving away from an opens representative format at the start of 2017.

“I do, for sure. A prime example is this weekend: everyone that played (on Saturday) now has to back up (for their clubs on Sunday),” he said, both Group 10 and Group 11 now well into their respective seasons.

“Guys have traveled a lot. Sam Simmons is from Bourke, he’s taken three days off to get to Sydney.

“We’ve got enough talent and I’m proud of our boys, they showed a lot of heart.

“But being a one-off it’s very difficult. The pure distance is such a big thing. Illawarra’s whole 18-man squad lives 35 minutes apart and we draw from Lithgow to Bourke.”

Despite that nearly-seven hour, 620 kilometer span between centres, Ryan’s Western outfit stuck with Illawarra through the opening exchanges of the round one clash.

But size, and a lack-there-of for Western, proved telling.

“They had some bigger bodies and got more numbers in the tackles. We stuck with them for 25, 30 minutes but they slowly wore us down,” Ryan said.

Orange CYMS’ Tom Satterthwaite crossed for the Rams, while Dubbo’s Bayden Searle managed to snag a four-pointer as did Simmons, who lined up in the centres.

But Ryan reserved special mention for Hawks’ bull Ethan McKellar and young green and golds’ three-quarter Lachie Munro, labeling both Western’s best.

“We didn't give up all,” Ryan enthused.

“I’ll let the dust settle first before looking to next year. It’s a lot of work and a lot of travel.”

Former Orange Hawk and Dubbo CYMS halfback Tony Pellow managed to score for the Illawarra outfit in the 24-point win, coming on off the bench in the victory.

“I spoke to him after the game and he’s going well down there. They’ve got a really good side,” Ryan added.

Riverina scored a 54-16 win over Greater Southern Region in the southern pool’s other clash.