While the Scone Thoroughbreds stalwart is not in the team to contest the Greater Northern Rugby League Championships at Scone Park on Saturday, he’ll still play a role in their preparation.

“I’m getting Daniel to present the jumpers to the boys,” Gardner said.

“To me, he epitomises what Group 21 is all about.

“Daniel always put his hand up to play rep footy.

“And, if the youngsters follow his lead, we’ll have no problems on the day.”

Group 21 officials named a strong squad for this weekend’s tournament, with last year’s grand finalists Muswellbrook and Aberdeen providing the bulk of the side.

Rams’ Daniel Ellis, Bailey Taylor, Dylan Thorne, Jordan Mulherin, Brady Benkovic, Bailey Wooden, Jason McKay and Jayson Hovi are joined by Tigers quartet Cameron French, Hamish Wolfgang, Samuel Fitzsimmons and Harry Douglass.

The skills of Daniel Walmsley (Denman), Dylan Holz (Greta Branxton), Scone’s Timothy Bridge, Jarrod Wicks, Jake Collison and Drew Brown, along with Singleton duo William Nieuwenhuise and James Bradley, also adds depth to the line-up.

“I’m very happy with the team,” Gardner said.

“We have experienced guys like Dylan [Thorne] and Bailey [Wooden] who have played reps before.

“Then we’ve got quick kids out wide, too, such as Tim [Bridge] and Hamish [Wolfgang].

“They trained okay for their first run the other night [at Muswellbrook].

“I’m expecting Group 4 to be big in the forwards; and pacey in the backline; while Group 19 is very quick all over the park, with a lot of ad-lib footy.

“Anything can happen when you play them.

“But, I think we’ll go alright.

“I’m expecting at least six boys to be picked in the [Greater Northern] Tigers outfit.”

The team tackles Group 4 at 10am and Group 19 at 2.30pm.