THE Ian Walsh Football Field will be heaving come Saturday afternoon as the Eugowra Golden Eagles take on the Trundle Boomers for Leon Goodwin Shield honours.
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The son of rugby league great 'Lord' Ted Goodwin, and brother to NRL stars Bronx and Bryson; Leon took his own life in 2017 and both sides will be looking to honour him with a fiercely contested game of rugby league.
Goodwin played for Eugowra, Parkes and Forbes and was a well known league identity in the region.
Golden Eagles captain-coach Brad McMillan played with Goodwin in Forbes, and showered him with praise.
"He (Leon) came from a really good family of footballers obviously, he was a solid footballer and just a really, really good bloke," said Macmillan earlier this week.
The Golden Eagles have had an up and down start to the 2021 Woodbridge Cup season, but McMillan is confident that his side can give the Boomers a real shake.
"We are starting to get a few blokes back and get our best side on the park.
"Defensively I can't complain too much this season, and we are also making some really good metres when we are coming off our own line but we are probably missing a bit of polish and speed when it comes to finishing off our sets.
"That has been our big focus at training this week, working on our combinations and cohesion in attack.
"The changes we've made will hopefully help us inject a fair bit of speed too," McMillan said.
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Off the field the day will also focus on mental health awareness, and former New Zealand star Clinton Toopi will be on hand to present the club with a participation award on behalf of the NRL's State of Mind program.
McMillan is hoping his side can put on a good show, and the formidable forward pack will be a big part of that.
"There should be a good crowd there and hopefully we can put in a good performance for them.
"I don't reckon anyone has a better forward pack than us so hopefully we can finish off a bit better and get a win on the board," he said.
That being said, McMillan was full of praise for Trundle, who are looking to make it four premierships in a row - and lauded the close nature of the competition in 2021.
"They've got fitness, speed and are really well drilled so it's always a good matchup.
"Canowindra have also been really good so far and I reckon Molong, who are a really tough side, will be one to watch in the back end of the season," said McMillan.
The women's tag side will begin the day's proceedings at 1.40pm, with first grade kicking off at 3pm for the Shield.
Please, if you are struggling with depression or anxiety, know that it 'ain't weak to speak' and there is help out there for you. Don't go at it alone.
If you, or someone you know, is struggling with mental health, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
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