FOOTBALL runs through the veins of these four Leeton shire boys who are all making waves at a new level.
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Fletcher Blackett, Matt Feagai, Max Feagai and Braxton Wallace are all playing football in the Illawarra area this season, with the Feagai twins no stranger to the area having moved there to further their sporting careers about three years ago.
The four are playing in Berkeley's under 18s side, while Max and Matt are also playing in the Illawarra Steelers SG Ball side and Braxton is with the St George Dragons' SG Ball team.
The four young players are being coached by Rick Higgins, a man who was born in Leeton and still has family in town, so the connections are strong.
Higgins said it was "pretty unusual" to have four boys from the same country town playing under him.
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"We've obviously had plenty of Riverina talent come through before, but to have four young blokes all from Leeton here at the same is pretty unusual," he said.
"It's a great achievement and we hope they all do well."
With the Feagai boys and Braxton also making waves in the representative teams, anything could be possible when it comes to playing rugby league professionally.
"The Feagai brothers are no stranger to rep footy … they've been up here for a few years now," Higgins said.
"I think you will definitely be seeing them playing with the Dragons under 20s side at some stage this season.
"They are both very good forwards and they'll be very handy in our side too."
Both Braxton and Fletcher have only made the move to the area in recent times and Higgins sees plenty of potential for both.
"I haven't seen much of Fletcher yet, but I know he is a strapping lad that is a good front rower," Higgins said.
"Braxton is a very good defender and just what you need in a half back.
"I think he can run all day and seems very relaxed on the field, which is a good thing."
With modest resources compared to bigger clubs, Higgins told The Illawarra Mercury it was important Berkeley builds through its juniors to stay competitive in the top grade.
“We don’t shy away from the fact that we can’t offer the money other clubs do but we do offer opportunity,” he said.
He said the pathways provided to the players would be more than helpful in furthering their young careers.
"It should be a really good season for all four of them," Higgins said.
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