Western will on Sunday play host to a bumper day of rugby league at Parkes and there's three players particularly keen to produce their best on home soil.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
The Rams' undefeated Johns Cup and Daley Cup teams will play at Pioneer Oval, home for 17-year-old Daley Cup gun Benjamin Lovett and 16-year-olds Kyle Mawhinney and Finnley Neilsen, the Johns Cup duo starring for Tony Woolnough's outfit throughout the under 16s country championship's first three rounds.
A win for both sides will all but sew-up top spot in their respective championships' southern pool and the trio of Parkes products is determined to keep the Rams' raid going in 2019.
RELATED:
Throw in the mix Sunday will double as the opening games for both Western's women's and under 23s side and it's certainly massive day for the green and white.
Lovett has been playing well down the Rams' right side - a position he doesn't usually play - and scored a couple of great tries in the round one win over Penrith.
He's been showing great strength and determination close to the line.
"My first game was the best, it was my first time wearing the Rams jersey and I scored two tries," the Year 12 Red Bend Catholic College student said.
"What surprised me was that I usually play second row or lock so all three games I've been playing centre.
"I was a bit scared at first because you've got to de-up (defend) with the faster blokes," he laughed.
Lovett said his tries came as a bit of a surprise.
"I'm not usually a big try-scorer so crossing for two tries was awesome," he said.
His ultimate goal is to make the Country team in the 18s who will tour England in November, which is a desire shared by Johns Cup skipper Neilson.
"It's always been a goal, my dad (Mark Neilsen) played for Country," he said.
"It would mean the world."
The 16s encountered a close, 14-12 round one victory over Penrith but have since been building and follow-up wins over Riverina (26-16) and Illawarra (30-8) in the next two rounds show Woolnough's outfit is on track.
"We're improving every game but we have a lot to improve on," Johns Cup five-eighth Mawhinney said.
"Everyone played their best footy in the second game, our structure was really good until the end where we kind of fell apart," he said.
"It's been a step-up in the quality of footy.
"My goal was to make the side, and since then it's been keeping my spot and I suppose winning the competition."
