Jack Williams from Berridale and Thomas Cronan from Jindabyne play for the Cooma Colts in the regular season and trialled late last year for the Raiders after both had a stand out year in 2011.

Both boys competed with more than 100 other players from all over southern NSW in a number of selection trials starting in September and after making the cut have been in intensive training since November.

Both boys travel to Canberra three times a week for training and the gruelling three hour sessions have improved their fitness and attitude to play representative sport at such a level. The boys are coming to terms with having as many trainers and coaches as there are players involved with the team, a far cry from a Sunday spent playing on the Cooma Showground.

The team has played three trial games against the Wests Tigers, Cronulla Sharks and last weekend against the Penrith Panthers.

Jack and Thomas have played strong games in all of the trials and have been rewarded with starting positions in the season opener on Saturday against Manly at Seiffert oval.

The competition runs for 10 weeks and the boys take on other NRL clubs in what can only be described as a fantastic learning experience and a chance to make a name for future seasons and hopefully play first grade NRL like other Cooma players, Brett White and Sam Williams.

Sam has been of huge assistance to the boys giving his own time and experience training with both Jack and Thomas and giving them an insight into what commitment is required to make it to first grade in the NRL.

As the majority of the team is made up from Canberra based players both boys have again proved that there is a high level of talent in the Monaro and should be congratulated on their effort and dedication in making the side.