A month shy of the 10th anniversary since the passing of Rick Keast, his alma mater teams are once again preparing for showdown.
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Always to pay homage to the illustrious NRL career of the Junee old boy, the annual Rick Keast Memorial Shield will be played this year at Wagga's McDonalds Park.
In conjunction with the event this year, senior and junior teams in both Wagga and Junee will take part in the national Beanies for Brain Cancer push.
All proceeds going towards the the Mark Hughes Foundation, it honours Keast who died of a brain tumor in July 2009.
Brother Jason Ferereo has this year returned to Junee and will be present at the annual charity clash.
Having watched his brother's battle through treatment for an incurable glioblastoma, Ferereo said Keast kept a special spot in his heart for his hometown Diesels and surrogate Brothers.
Serving as both a captain and a coach to both teams, Keast took the Brothers from wooden-spooning to winning the Group 9 premiership in 1995.
"I'm sure he watches over the game every year with a big smile on his face," Ferereo said.
"He enjoyed his time with both clubs [and] he'd be proud and honoured to hear they play this every year for him."
It will be a particularly telling game for Diesels stalwart Trent Shubach.
A cousin of Keast's, he is now "following in his footsteps" by performing the joint role of captain and coach.
Traditionally taking to the field in brain cancer colours, the Diesels will have the opportunity to return the shield to Laurie Daley Oval.
Last year's clash saw the Brothers take it away, breaking the Diesel's six-year winning streak, beginning 2011.
"Junee has the better record of winning, but it wouldn't matter to Rick, he loved both the clubs equally," Ferereo said.
During his time in the Riverina, Keast also coached Temora and the now-defunct Turvey Park teams to copious victory.
"He was heavily involved with NRL in the country and the metro," Ferereo said.
"He was so passionate about growing the game, especially junior rugby league."
Through coincidence of the draw, both senior and junior teams will take to the field this weekend.
Saturday kicks off with the women's league tag at McDonalds Park from 12:20pm.
Reserve grade men will take over at 1:20pm, before the first grade showdown at 2:30pm.
On neighbouring Parramore Park, the juniors will also face-off on Saturday.