IT'S a novelty to see their idols play in their own backyard, let alone play in front of an anticipated 10,000 crowd at next Saturday's NRL game at Equex Centre.
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But Wagga Brothers junior league president Ben Howard said the experience will make the youngster's dream of making the elite level more realistic as the Canberra Raiders look to build on their Riverina footprint.
Under-eights players from Junee Diesels, Wagga Magpies, Wagga Kangaroos Red and Wagga Brothers will play at half-time of the Raiders' home clash with Penrith, the second NRL match in Wagga and the first in 21 years.
"A lot of the kids probably travel to Canberra (to watch NRL games) a bit, but now they have the chance to do it in their own backyard," Howard said.
"One thing we'll be saying to our kids is they've got a chance where it could be them one day, it's good they can see the first graders playing here."
Wagga Magpies junior Angel Krause, seven, is looking forward to showing off her skills.
"I'm going to tackle lots and gets lots of tries," she said.
Junee Diesels player Joe Bradley is also excited by the chance to play in front of a big crowd.
"It's going to be real fun because you don't get to do it every day," he said.
"I've been practising my passing."
Tickets can be found at raidersshop.com.au/tickets, the Wagga visitor information centre or the Oasis Aquatic Centre, with fans urged to buy quickly with around 60 per cent of tickets sold.
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