THEY are sporting royalty, league legends and some homegrown heroes who later this month will take on the Young Cherrypickers in an NRL All Stars pre-season trial match.
As the Group Nine Cherrypickers prepare for the knockout clash, some players have embraced the opportunity to go up against their idols in a one off game on home turf.
Newly appointed captain-coach Luke Branighan said the game isn’t about winning for him.
“I am more concerned about the effort the boys put in – I want to see where they are all at so many of them will be playing in unfamiliar positions,” Branighan said.
“I want to see what the blokes can do – but to be just playing against this calibre of players, the stars of the 80s, 90s and early millennium, is a big deal and one the boys should get a lot out of,” he said.
Branighan knows firsthand the skill they have to offer.
“I was lucky enough to play against some of them during my career – so I know the boys should be able to get a lot out of it.”
Riley Scelly is one of Young’s rising legend sensations, who at just 17, is very keen to milk the experience for all it’s worth.
“They are twice the size of me – so I am not really sure what I am going to do when they come running at me,” Scelly laughed.
“All I want is to get out of it with no injury – that would be a bonus.”
“I’m very scared but it will be a great opportunity to play against them – especially Wendell Sailor.
“I’m a pretty mad Wendell fan,” he said.
Patrick Schiller is not sure what to expect from the game but knows it is almost like a once in a lifetime opportunity.
“I’ve idolised people like Sam Burgess so I try to base myself around them – it will be a good thing to play against people with the skills of the All Stars,” Schiller said.
“But I am excited,” he added.
Like Branighan, recently signed recruit Ben McAlpine said he isn’t fussed about the talent and skill of these players.
“I have played a few of them in the Super League competition in England and then when I came home to Sydney,” McAlpine said.
McAlpine, who is originally from Orange, has been signed with the Cherrypickers and said he is looking forward to getting out on the field.
“I think Luke wants to play me at five eighth for the pre-season match,” he said.
Brad Dewar come up through the junior ranks of the game and said he is looking forward to getting out there and playing against those that inspired him.
“I look up to people like Simon Woolford,” Dewar said.
“I was a late bloomer to the game – I didn’t start playing until I joined the under 13s – I was a soccer boy,” he said.
While Dewar believes he has his nerves under control now, he knows that could all change.
“Come game day it could be a different story.”
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