The Macquarie Raiders are thrilled to have two of their rising stars debuting for the Penrith Panthers this weekend but the Group 11 club is already looking forward to having the duo back in Dubbo.
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Aston Warwick and Brandan Hamilton earned selection in the Penrith Panthers' SG Ball squad after weeks of trials and training sessions and they are currently preparing for the weekend's opening round match against the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
Warwick and Hamilton are two of seven players to earn a place in the Panthers' junior representative sides via the Western Rams pathway.
They will be joined in the under-19 SG Ball team by Mudgee's Cody Lawson, Orange CYMS half Jack Cole and Bathurst pair Ash Cosgrove and Josh Belfanti while Bayden Moran of Parkes earned a place in the Harold Matthews under 17s squad.
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The SG Ball runs for nine rounds before finals, meaning Warwick and Hamilton will be back in Dubbo prior to the start of the Group 11 season even if Penrith go on to reach the decider.
"They've done a big job for themselves and the club," proud Macquarie president Ross McDermott said.
"And we'll try and tap into the knowledge they gain when they come back.
"I know 'Aka' (first grade coach Alex Ronayne) is interested because they're getting exposed to that top level."
While already excited about the impact the pair could possibly have on the Raiders under 18s side, and potentially senior teams, this season McDermott is eager to see the youngsters take their chance with the Panthers.
This weekend will mark another proud one for the Western Rams given so many youngsters have made the trip to the Panthers in recent times.
There's a sprinkling of Western Rams juniors around other SG Ball squads this season while the likes of 2020 under 18s stars Noah Ryan of Dubbo and Forbes' Jack Hartwig have also made the move to the city, linking with Western Suburbs and Mounties respectively.
"They're good kids who've gone from South Dubbo to Macquarie and now to Sydney," McDermott said of his pair, before looking at the Western pathway.
"We're blessed in Group 11, really.
"It's a bit of a golden era at the moment and in the group of kids coming through there's some exceptional players.
"It's up to them to make that next step."
McDermott added the Raiders took real pride in having two of their own making their way up at the Panthers.
St John's and CYMS have been heavily represented at the foot of the mountains in recent years - the highlight being Isaah Yeo developing into a Penrith captain and NSW Origin player - while Wellington junior Brent Naden also currently plays for the Panthers.
The goal now is to continue helping players reach the very top and a high-profile coach at the Raiders this season is every chance of helping make that happen.
"Especially with our (under 18s) coach this year being David Peachey," McDermott said, the former Cronulla great back with his junior club.
"He's one who rose from Group 11 to the Sydney ranks and that's what dreams are made of for most players, hopefully."
The SG Ball opening round is played on Saturday with Penrith taking on the South Sydney Rabbitohs from 1.30pm at Panthers Stadium.
Elsewhere in the SG Ball this weekend, Bathurst junior and former Western Rams half Noah Griffiths will line up for the Newcastle Knights while Dubbo products Nosa Obaseki and Broden Konz will play Harold Matthews this season with the Roosters and Knights respectively.