LEETON'S under 18s team is an awesome unit of power and pace, and has the added benefit of the majority having played together for a number of years.
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It will come up against a Waratahs Tigers outfit in Sunday's Group 20 grand final that has taken all before it this post-season, except the Greens.
When last they met, in a semi final at West Wyalong, Leeton gave the Tigers a sniff early, then proceeded to turn it on to book a berth in the decider.
The Tigers then made mince meat of Bidgee Hurricanes and will aim to serve up the same to the Greens.
Leeton coach Clint Halden said that last meeting was not a true reflection of his side.
"We were pretty off our game (that day) and obviously the boys knew that," Halden said.
"They gave us a test in the semi. They came out an bashed us a bit and we weren't up to the mark.
"That happening will make us a lot more prepared.
Halden watched last weekend's preliminary final with a number of his players in preparation for Sunday's game.
"Bidgee didn't really turn up, they dropped a lot of ball and you can't do that to (Waratahs)," he said. "You've got to make them work.
"We could see what they did around the ruck and picked out their better players.
"We had a chat about that at training. We picked out their strengths and what we need to do to keep them quiet."
Halden did pinpoint the Tigers' key weapons his side will need to be wary of.
"Their No. 7 (James Perlowski) is pretty good," he said.
"He controls the ruck and has good long passes. That caught us out in the semi-final.
"Ben Vearing (five-eighth) is very quick and likes to run to the line with the ball. They've also got some really good forwards."
That being said, Leeton has its own weapons ready to fire one last time in 2014.
It has good individual players who come together well and are able to score points, so the focus will be on good defence.
"If our forwards aren't stepping up, we probably won't win the game," Halden said.
"We don't get go-forward, we won't give our halves anything they can use or our backs anything.
"We need to win the ruck in attack and defence, have a good kicking game and get good field position.
"We need to get in an arm wrestle and tire them down and the points will come.
"Josh (Nikoro) and Rhys (Wilesmith) up front, they're the guys who have put us on the front foot all year.
"Billy Gilbert jumps out of dummy."
Off the bench the likes of Brady Kefford, Dylan Schuette, utility Brendan Celi and Hayden Demamiel don't diminish the team.
"The quality across the whole team has been pretty good," Halden said.
"I have had a talented squad to work with, which makes my job easier.
"The boys are pretty switched on. I am confident with our stamina and fitness we can run over the top, we just need to be patient."
Halden said there have been some signs of nerves, but that was a positive.
"I'm a bit nervous myself, but I'd rather be nervous than not," he said.
"It means they're thinking about it.
"It's a good sign."
THE Leeton under 18s had the ultimate bonding trip halfway through the season, which included a training session with players from NRL powerhouse Manly.
Coach Clint Halden, a former Manly player, and 19 of his players took the trip to look at different training techniques.
The team underwent a 15-minute opposed field training session with the Manly reserve grade side before winger Billy Dickinson joined the reserves in an opposed session against the first grade side and even tackled Jamie Lyon.
Manly halfback Daly Cherry-Evans, who was an under 18s player at the club when Halden was there, also took time out to speak to the young Greens, as did strength and conditioning coach Donny Singe.
"He went through with the guys about different aspects of training," Halden said.
"He's the backbone of why Manly is so good.
"He was talking about mental toughness and how Manly works for each other. You could hear a pin drop, they were so focused."
The trip also included the chance to watch NRL games live to get a better overview of the professional game. They saw the Sydney Roosters play Penrith Panthers and Cronulla taking on North Queensland, followed by time in the sheds with the Sharks.
THE under 18s competition is an unusual one in some respects because it can have a lot more at stake than just winning and losing.
With players of an age where priorities change or other opportunities present themsleves, it can be the last chance players have to take to the field together.
In many ways they have grown up togeher and this is their last hurrah.
That is one thing coach Clint Halden has talked about with his players and it was also brought up by Manly strength and conditioning coach Donny Singe when the Greens visited the NRL club on a Sydney trip.
"He said you may never get an opportunity play in a grand final again," Halden said.
"I've said that as well. I said some of the guys are going to go away and you've got to take the opportunity.
"They've had a good year and they're a quality team.
"It might not happen again and they've got to embrace it.
"They know that and are enjoying themselves."
A winning season has added to that sense of enjoyment.
"When you're winning games, you're in a happy mood and you're keen to train," Halden said.
"The vibe is good.
"It is always different when you're winning games and we have had a dominant year."