Along with fellow forward James Cooper, Wadwell is the sole survivor of North Tamworth's active golden reign of six straight premierships - a highly valuable bench player known for his aggressiveness.

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"I wear me heart on my sleeve," the 32-year-old forward said. "I say to a lot of people, 'If I was playing against my mother, I'd do the same thing.'

"That just the aggressiveness I've got on the field, and that's just how I play my footy."

Wadwell was speaking from "around" John Hunter Hospital at Newcastle on Friday morning. His children, Ella, 10, and Hunter, 4, had their tonsils and adenoids removed this week and need to remain near the hospital for a fortnight in case bleeding occurs.

That means Wadwell will not play when Moree travels to Tamworth on Saturday - a blow to the Bears given his super-sub value.

"I'm going all right," he said of his form this season. "Getting a bit long in the tooth. But I'll stick around and we'll be right."

Wadwell was incandescent after Norths' last premiership triumph, in 2019. It was the last time he played with his elder brother, Shane, who retired after the match.

Wadwell said it was "weird" not having his bro by his side in games.

"I've been trying to get him out of retirement for one more year," he said. "But I don't know if I'm gonna get him."

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