Legends of League organiser Jamie Petrie, the Inverell Hawks Rugby League Football Club president, said some of the proceeds from the big weekend would go towards helping Mackenzie Cook recover from a bad accident.

“Mackenzie was in a bad car accident recently,” Petrie said.

“So part of the proceeds from the weekend are helping out Josh Cook and his family with Mackenzie’s recovery.

“The Newcastle Knights have sent up a jersey which we will be auctioning over 2NZ on the weekend.

“Also the gate from the games on Saturday will go to the Men Of League, the local Sports Council and to Josh and his family.”

It’s a fine gesture by Petrie and the Hawks as they prepare for a huge weekend beginning with tonight’s auction and meet-the-player night at the Inverell RSM.

Tomorrow morning many of those former NRL stars, such as Cliff Lyons, Matt Gidley, David Peachey and Mark McGaw, will be on hand to run a junior coaching clinic at Varley Oval.

“We’ve thrown it open to all children – anyone who wants to come down is invited,” Petrie said.

“Parents can drop off their kids at 10.30am and we’ll look after them for an hour.”

Then the lady Hawks get mobile with an intra-club “selection” trial.

“We’ve got 20 girls keen to play in our Ladies League Tag side,” Petrie said.

“Unfortunately we have to cull a few so the game is something of a selection trial for them.

“Then at about 5pm we have a trial between Inverell and Tingha.”

That will be a major senior trial for both clubs as they prepare for new Group 19 seasons, with Gary Lavender coaching the Hawks, who will be defending their premiership title, and the Tigers under Nathan Blacklock who will take his spot in the Inverell RSM Invitational side against the Joblink Plus Men Of league side.

Blacklock will play in the centres in a side to be captained by his good mate Preston Campbell and also containing the likes of former Northern Division backrower Lavender, former Hawk and Knight star Robbie McCormack and Hawk legend Dave Alexander , who is the Invitational side’s coach.

The Legends of League game kicks off about 6.30pm at Varley Oval.