Preparations for the 2017 championships began in September last year, meaning most players went from finals with their respective club sides to training with Western Academy squads during spring.

It’s a long and grueling way to do things, but, for Rams chairman Peter McDonald, the proof is in the pudding.

On Saturday at the Cessnock Sportsground, Western will run out in both the under 16s and under 18s championship deciders for the second consecutive season.

“I’m as proud as punch,” McDonald said. 

“Not a lot of divisions can boast a record like that. We’re traditionally a strong junior base and that goes right back to the days of Tommy Nelson, he coached the likes of Dean Pay and Terry Fahey.

“Cameron Greenhalgh is starting to rival Tommy with the sort of success he’s having with the under 18s.

“Then there was Joel Thompson and Daniel Mortimer in the same Western side too, they’ve obviously gone on to NRL level.

“There’s still another step to take – the under 18s are a big hope and the under 16s are up against a very good East Coast Dolphins side – but it’s great to see the hard work everyone puts in paying off.”