Little more than two years ago, Moree's Jock Brazel was suiting up for the Boars in the Group 19 under 18 finals series.
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Now he's training alongside up-and-coming NRL stars as an future NSW Blue.
The 18-year-old took part in a two-day camp at the NSW Rugby League Centre of Excellence at Olympic Park as part of the Emerging Blues squad at the weekend.
NSW Origin coach Brad Fittler ran the camp with help from NRL greats assistant coaches Greg Alexander and Paul McGregor.
"It was incredible," Brazel said.
"To be able to go into camp with such talented players and coaching staff was something I got a lot out of and will never forget.
"Learning from players that are playing NRL currently and players that have done it all in the likes of Boyd Cordner and Andrew Johns was truly humbling."
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"Such incredible coaching staff allowed for me to develop my game further and take my off-field life to another level as well.
"It was definitely up there with the highest level of training I have done, as everything was completed with such quality."
Brazel is currently training with Parramatta's under 21 Jersey Flegg team for 2022 and recently re-signed with the club until the end of 2024.
He was also chosen in the Australian Schoolboys Merit team in the second row when the side was announced earlier in the year.
His rise in the sport has come at no surprise to locals but Brazel admits he still has to pinch himself when he considers how far he has come.
"I really am very grateful for everything the people around me have done for me, from my coaches back in Moree to Sydney, friends and definitely my family," he said.
"Definitely wouldn't be where I am today without those people."
Fittler's methods of meditation and breathing have been well documented and Brazel was able to learn that aspect of training.
"Being able to take part in activities like breathing and earthing was pretty cool and interesting," he said.
"Especially learning about the benefits it really has."
Since camp finished, it was revealed there was a positive COVID result among the participants and Brazel, along with the other members of the squad and staff, have been forced into self-isolation.