“I want you to think about all the diggers that went and fought in the wars that allowed us to live a good life,” he tells them.

“Take all that in on the game this Friday.”

It’s inspiring stuff. Huddled under the lights of the Workers Arena, the under-16 Junior Stockmen are preparing for the season ahead.

It’s freezing, and the wind is bitterly cold. It feels like the sleet could turn to snow at any moment.

But the boys show no sign of the conditions - they’re pumped. They’re excited because tonight they play their opening game, coincidentally the night before the 100th anniversary of the Anzac landings.

A century ago, many of these boys wouldn’t have looked out of place in an Australian uniform.

Hundreds if not thousands of boys their age ran off to war under false ages.

Whether it was planned or not, Joe Roberts is proudly wearing his Australian Kangaroos jersey.

He’s one of the key personnel changes to the team in 2015, and this Friday he looks set to help command the team from the halves.

“My grand father passed away last year and he fought in World War Two,” he tells the Post.

“I’ll probably play for him on Friday.”

At 15-years-old, Roberts is one of the youngest in the team.

He’s been selected to play up a grade due to his experience with the Canberra Raiders Harold Matthews team.

“Joe came up last year, and could have played 15s this season but he has decided to come up with us,” Whittaker explains.

“He’s been playing hooker and half, so we’ll pick him around those positions.

“He brings a lot of structure, that Harold Matts structure we’ll look to bring into our play.”

Whittaker has also moved Jaden Apps from centre to link in with Roberts.

It’s a big move for Apps, he’s a centre by trade but he justifies the change saying he is ready for the leadership responsibilities.

“Centre is a lot different to half back,” he says.

“You have to control your side. I’m left side so I tell my forwards what to do.

“In centre you’re the one being told what to do.”

Young Tommy Hazelton is the team’s left side second rower.

He’s also the player picked by Whittaker to lead his boys as captain.

“His attitude in training so far has been phenomenal,” Whittaker says.

“I’d say in just the last year, he’s learnt what he can do on the footy field.”

“He’s a leader isn’t he boys?”

Above all, Whittaker insists the team is a group of mates. He wants them to play for each other.

“My goal as a coach is to develop these guys to become regular first division players. Keep the mateships, make ‘em develop as a person first and then their footy will follow,” he says.

“When you have that attitude and commitment to defence everything else follows. And these guys being good mates as they are , that will come into line.”

The boys open their season against the Gungahlin Bulls at the Workers Arena tonight at 7.30pm, after the girls also take on the Bulls at 6.30pm.

The Stockman junior comp also begins this Sunday at North Park and the Mini League will begin in a week’s time on May 2.