They spent four years together in the NRL, but while former Canberra Raider Lincoln Withers says it's hard to resist lacing up the boots one more time, his ex-teammate is quite comfortable on the other side of the fence.
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West Belconnen Warriors coach Troy Thompson says until Tuesday night, he'd forgotten how hard it really was.
"No way in the world [would I play]," Thompson said.
"I held a pad on Tuesday for one of the bigger boys and I'm still sore. He asked me to hold it again [on Thursday] – I just couldn't hold it. I'm trying to get Gaf [assistant coach and ex-Raider Matt Gafa] to play, but he won't, either."
Gungahlin Bulls coach Withers entertains the thought every day, but he finds braving the cold Canberra winter rather unappealing.
"Every week I get keen and then it gets cold again," Withers laughed.
Thompson spent last season coaching alongside Withers at Gungahlin before departing for West Belconnen and the former Raiders half believes it will make for an interesting match-up on Saturday.
"[He'll know] a few of our boys and how they play, and some of his stuff that he brought to us will no doubt be in Westies' game," Withers said.
"It'll be a bit of fun [to] see how both teams go with that."
Withers has catapulted the Bulls into the top four after eight rounds of the Canberra Raiders Cup and a win over West Belconnen would go a long way towards securing a finals spot after last week's shock loss ended a five-game winning streak.
"In the last few weeks we've had a few blokes on, and a few blokes off," Withers said.
"I think if we collectively play well together, that we'll give a good account of ourselves. But obviously Westies are looking like they're quite a strong side this year.
"They've got some really good edge back-rowers and some good halves, so [we] obviously just have to combat that and defend well this week."
Thompson viewed the clash as a massive opportunity for the Warriors to cement their spot inside the competition's top four heading into the second half of the season, but conceded ball handling would have to improve.
"We've played three teams that have been in the top four and we've lost two," Thompson said.
"It's probably been the story of our season, really. Teams have scored off our mistakes. If we hold the ball and complete our sets, we're a pretty good side, but our issue is just holding the ball at the moment."
Jacob Graham will join his brother Bailey in the Warriors' 17 after halfback Cody Wynnik was ruled out with concussion.
Five-eighth Bobby Roberts will be charged with steering the ship for West Belconnen, who remain the only side to have knocked off the ladder-leading Queanbeyan Blues this season.
CANBERRA RAIDERS CUP – ROUND 9
Saturday: West Belconnen Warriors v Gungahlin Bulls at Raiders Belconnen, 3pm; Tuggeranong Bushrangers v Queanbeyan Kangaroos at Greenway Oval, 3pm; Yass Magpies v Belconnen United Sharks at Walker Park, 3pm.
Sunday: Goulburn Workers Bulldogs v Woden Valley Rams at Workers Arena, 3pm.
