Ben Brooke returns at number eight after missing the last two wins over Leeton to tackle Waratahs at Conolly Rugby Complex on Saturday.

After missing out on two of the biggest games of the season, he can’t wait to get back into the action.

“It was just a bit of a shoulder niggle but we decided to leave last week and give it a bit more time coming into the serious end of finals,” Brooke said. “But it is feeling good, I’ve had a got run around this week and I’m very excited to be back in especially up against Waratahs.

“I think it will be a really good test of how we are coming together as a team at the moment.”

It’s been especially hard watching on the sidelines as Aggies try to come to grips with the death of teammate Andy Stanham.

The 22-year-old’s funeral was on Thursday but Brooke, who is also the club’s president, has been in awe of how the playing group has responded.

“It has been interesting as Andy’s funeral was delayed a couple of weeks, but the whole club has gone through this grieving process together,” he said.

“We’ve had numerous social events, whether it be dinners, breakfasts, lunches, played games of golf together, as a whole side and it has been completely different.

“Having the Ag College support has made a massive difference, everyone is keeping a sharp eye on everyone else and there is a really good feeling at the moment in the worst of circumstances.”

Ag College are on a seven-game winning streak and haven’t lost since tackling Waratahs at the midway point of the season.

Brooke believes the side has developed so much since the 82-26 loss in May.

“The maturity the boys showed was really phenomenal and credit to the work Will (Mitchell) has been doing this season and how we have developed really well as a side,” he said.

Brooke though defensively they’ve improved a lot since the last time they two Wagga teams met.

It is something he feels leaves them in good stead to give the undefeated side a real shake.

Even so he’s expecting a massive challenge.

“They are a well-drilled side, a very mature side and going to be one of the biggest challenges we will have in our footy careers,” Brooke said.

“Off the field there is obviously a fair bit going on, but I’m hoping we all come in with the right mindset – the mindset we’ve had these last games where we’ve played that clear, focused footy.”

Brooke’s return is the only change with Sam Chalmers out with an ankle injury.

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