At just 24, Reed Hugo will be leading his club into their second grand final in a row after the Goannas dismantled last year's grand final conqueror Wests in the second half of Saturday's preliminary final.
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Captain for the past two years, Hugo is now one of the most experienced players in a side which will feature 10 or more Cessnock juniors in its ranks when they meet South Newcastle in the decider for the 2020 title at Maitland Sportsground on Sunday from 3.30pm.
If it wasn't for experienced trio Liam Foran, Josh Griffiths and Josh Charles, Hugo would be the only player with 100 or more first grade caps in the side.
"Ninety per cent of the side are Cessnock boys, everyone is just here because they love footy and want to play and that's why we've got so far this year," Hugo said after the Goannas 34-14 win against Wests.
"We're not a side full of superstars, we're a side who works for each other."
While they may not be superstars, but they do have a great work ethic, plenty of skill and the prerequisite toughness to pull on a Cessnock jersey.
Hugo is playing alongside his under-19 teammate Robert Tuliatu again this season after the front-rower took a three-year break for study overseas.
They were followed into the first grade side in recent years by Brayden Musgrove, Nick Lawrence, Connor Kirkwood and Joe Bromage. The 2020 graduates from junior ranks include Harrison Spruce and Harvey Neville who scored the first and last of the Goannas' six tries on Saturday.
Front-rower Tom Baker, who was injured early in Saturday's game, is originally from Singleton, Ngangarra Barker is a Maitland junior who played at Kurri Kurri, halfback Nick Newman and Josh Charles both played with Edwards at Lakes.
Wing and goal kicker Seaton Reid is originally from Noosa but has become a heart and soul player at the club and Guy Thompson and Hamish Wolfgang have both come from Aberdeen.
Hugo said the group had come together incredibly well and were committed to creating their own piece of history in 2020.
"The win on Saturday was outstanding, it was a great win but we have one to go," he said.
"I was there last year in the grand final and we were on the other end of what we produced on Saturday.
But this is a new side looking to make its own history and I believe the way we stepped up in the second half shows we can go all the way."
Read more: Grand final day: What you need to know
