Now the young Canberra Raiders hooker is hoping to play alongside his hero when an Indigenous All Star side meets an NRL All-Star team in a pre-season charity match at Skilled Park on the Gold Coast on February13.

Waddell and fellow Raiders Tom Learoyd-Lahrs, Justin Carney, Joel Thompson and Zac Merritt have been included on the list of players eligible for the indigenous team.

A public vote will select the team, which will be captained by Campbell Preston and coached by former Raiders coach Neil Henry.

Fans can also choose from the likes of Thurston, Greg Inglis, Scott Prince and Sam Thaiday, as well as dual international Timana Tahu.

While Waddell has played just 10 NRL games in his short career, a dearth of recognised indigenous hookers means the 20-year-old could find himself voted into the team.

He said it would be a career highlight.

''I would love to play, just to be alongside all the people I look up to and to play for my own culture as well,'' Waddell said.

For more, pick up a copy of today's Canberra Times