THE 2019 Blowes Clothing Cup colts grand final was a special one for Zarrin Galea.
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It was the first grand final the Dubbo Kangaroos fullback has won after losing four previous deciders.
He was also named man of the match in his team's 22-15 victory over Bathurst Bulldogs.
Galea said the key to his performance, which included intercepting a ball and running 70 metres to score, as well as kicking a late penalty goal, was simply having fun.
"At training I was pretty nervous all week," he admitted.
"I've been here before and know what it's about but I just wanted to win. The boys told me I play my best when I have fun so I just went and had fun."
It's been a massive season for Galea.
After bouncing between league and union and sometimes playing both in recent years, the talented outside back made the commitment to the 15-man code.
It has proved a wise decision.
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Not only did he develop into one of the standout players in the Roos' colts side this season, he also got his first taste of action in the top grade.
The Roos hierarchy had no concerns about putting the youngster into the mix and when starting art fullback in the clash with Orange City late in the year he was particularly impressive.
He was also thrown into the pressure-cooker in the final round when he came off the bench at Forbes in a match the Roos needed to win to ensure a spot in the finals.
He was unable to do that this year but he, like many other colts players, have put themselves in the nix for senior selection from next year on.
Roos director of rugby Beau Robinson was so impressed with the club's younger players this season he wants to build around them in the seasons to come.
"We've got to focus more on nurturing our colts and get them staying around, which is exciting," Robinson said after that final round.
"We had good colts last year and that core group has stuck around while some went away for rep.
"The same will happen this year, there's a very good colts team but hopefully we can retain them for the next three or four years.
"That will take time but if you look there's a few of the colts who have been playing together for a good few years. If you can hold on to that, the nucleus of the team has to be Dubbo juniors and colts, I think.
"It's just too hard to get that cohesion otherwise."
