TORONTO captain Paul Toole has said there was no doubt his spearhead Joe Price should factor in Newcastle's representative team when the side to play Central Coast was announced.

A dangerous late spell of 2-1 off nine overs from Price on Saturday has the Kookaburras in the box seat for first-innings points against Western Suburbs at Ron Hill Oval.

Wests are 3-22 chasing Toronto's 9-177 declared.

Price has taken 99 wickets in the past two seasons of Newcastle district cricket and Toole said he expected to see the quick's name when the squad is unveiled for Sunday's clash at No.1 Sportsground.

"Joe Price has been the leading wicket-taker in Newcastle cricket for the last two seasons by a fair way," Toole said.

"If they see him as the best bowler in Newcastle . . . it's not my call, but I know who I'd like to have in my team."

Price has taken six wickets in three matches this season at an average of 20.67 and looked lethal on a seaming Ron Hill wicket assisted by the overcast conditions.

"He was probably doing too much with the ball, he probably beat the bat 25 times," Toole said.

Earlier in the day Wests skipper Frankie Walsh gave his Newcastle rep aspirations a boost by taking 4-31.

Lower-order batsman Aaron Gray (49) was the best with the willow for Toronto.

His contribution gave last year's minor premiers a respectable total in challenging batting conditions. NH