The NRL cult hero was the star player when the Walgett Aboriginal Connection (WAC) won last year's tournament and will be a key player again when the action kicks off on Saturday.

Rose has played 151 NRL matches, represented the Prime Minister's XII and also the Aboriginal All Stars but he admitted running out the WAC colours is a feeling as good as any he's had in his career.

"I absolutely love it, probably one of the best rugby league experiences I've had is playing and winning the Knockout," he said.

"Playing six games over the three days, it really takes its toll and the quality of teams you play against is unreal.

"There's some guys who you might not see on an NRL field but they're definitely handling themselves on the Knockout field and play a lot better than some of the NRL guys who come back and have a run.

"It's tough and an unreal feeling to win and I want to have that feeling again."

Rose was one of the most popular figures at the Gala Dinner at the Dubbo RSL club on Wednesday night and was on hand to witness his team drawn out of what was quickly dubbed 'The Group of Death'.

WAC were drawn in Group D alongside 2012 and 2013 winners Newcastle Yowies and the Griffith Three Ways United RLFC, which features Andrew and David Fafita.

"I'm feeling like it's going to be a very tough task but we're going to have a good crack," Rose said.

"We'll go hard and give it our best but there's 63 teams here who all want to win it and no doubt they all want to beat us so we'll try our best and hopefully be there on Monday afternoon with a smile on our face."

The big front-rower represented the St George Illawarra Dragons last season but is currently uncontracted and without a club.

While on stage at the Gala Dinner he joked it was just so he could miss out on the strenuous NRL pre-season but there's no doubt he'll be looking for another stellar Knockout to put himself in the shop window.

An NRL contract may be in the back of his mind but Rose is purely focused on representing WAC and being part of a competition he described as "unique."

"I remember as a young fella the first few games I had in the Knockout I got excited when I got to play against Dean Widders and got to tackle him," he said.

"That was massive to play against NRL players and it's good because people get to play with their own communities.

"I get to play with my brothers and cousins and nephews and everyone in one team and that's something else I wouldn't get an opportunity to do if it wasn't for the Knockout."

Rose and his brothers, Matt and Trent, form the basis of the WAC side.

All three will be crucial to their team's hopes and George admitted playing alongside family members made you lift that little bit more when the contest got close.

"I absolutely love it and it invokes some extra passion in you," he said.

"You're literally playing for your family so it's a strong bond in our team and among all our 25 players.

"We've been close for a while now and love this time of year."