Laurie Daley is looking to inspire the next generation of Diesels to learn what rugby league can offer them.
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Daley returned to his old stomping ground of Junee High School on Friday, alongside former NRL players Steve Menzies and Craig Wing, as part of a push to help the club keep the sport alive and thriving in the town.
Junee held a state of play meeting after a disappointing season and Daley's presence helped reinvigorate the town's passion for the sport.
The rugby league legend wanted to play his part.
"It's also good to come back, tell the kids our story and our journey as just because you are from the country it shouldn't stop you from trying to achieve and inspire people to try and do what you did," Daley said.
"I'd love to see Junee have a strong footy team and love to see all these kids, regardless of whether it is in rugby league, getting out there and achieve their goals.
"It's terrific we can send that message to them."
Junior numbers have been one of the club's biggest issues however the Diesels are hoping the visit from Daley will encourage the strong current crop of juniors to make the move into the senior club.
The weather didn't come to the party on Friday, with the event moved from Loftus Oval, but the rain didn't dampen spirits.
Daley is hoping the visit can help get the community behind the club.
"It's very important that the locals connect with their footy club as footy clubs are so vital to small communities," he said.
"It's a great way to interact with people, have a good time and get around your town."
While plenty of the focus was on the future it didn't stop a trip down memory lane with precocious teen Eli Crozier quizzing Daley on his two early field goals during the 1986 Group Nine grand final as he helped instrument a 10-6 upset victory over Young.
It was the last Diesels premiership and Daley is hoping those in front of him can help foster in a new breed of Junee premiership players after a narrow miss in 2015.
"It's been a long time between drinks and my mates down in Sydney always talk about Junee and ask me about '86," he said.
"They call Junee the Parramatta of Group Nine as Parramatta won their last grand final in '86 and we are going through that process at the moment.
"We will be right and Parramatta had a good year last year so Junee will hit back next year."
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