Dubbo junior and Penrith Panthers co-captain Isaah Yeo knows all too well the impact watching professional rugby league matches can leave of the younger generation.
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For some of the children who attended Sunday's match against South Sydney at Apex Oval, they were able to meet some of their heroes after the game and Yeo remembered a similar experience he had.
"I remember when the Bulldogs took a trial out here when Andy (Andrew) Ryan was playing, they've had City-Country games and I remember I got to go in the sheds for the Country game and Amos Roberts gave me his socks, you still remember that stuff now so it's pretty bloody special," he said.
Forbes junior Charlie Staines had several family members make the journey from Forbes to attend the match on Sunday.
"Yeah a few family, my mum, dad and my missus and stuff like that but it's good it's close to home and a lot of locals here. It's good," he said.
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Yeo is part of a well known Dubbo family and touched on his own feelings on being back at Apex Oval.
"It was good fun, obviously never expect to be back here playing an NRL game so it was obviously special," he said.
"I had a lot of family and friends here so it was good to see them after the game but it was nice to have a good performance as well."
Staines, who was part of two Group 11 grand final wins at Apex Oval in 2018, was delighted with his side's performance in the 56-12 win over South Sydney.
"It was obviously a good win, probably didn't expect the score line to blow out like that but they're obviously a good team and a top four team and it was good to get the win today and push forward to next week," he said
Staines has a strong start to the season but his fellow winger Brian To'o has been in the headlines as a possible NSW State of Origin spot looms and the 'Forbes Ferrari' knows he would do a job if selected.
"It's unreal, he sorta carries me. He's a good player, strong as and if he got picked for Origin he wouldn't look out of place one bit, so I enjoy playing alongside him," he said.
The Rabbitohs will return in 2022 for another NRL match but it is unsure yet as to who their opponents will be and Yeo is hopeful it could be Penrith again.
"Hopefully I get to again if we are lucky enough but if not, a wonderful experience." he said.
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...I remember I got to go in the sheds for the Country game and Amos Roberts gave me his socks, you still remember that stuff now so it's pretty bloody special
- Penrith co-captain Isaah Yeo