Featuring some of of the biggest names in the game's history, the All-Stars will be coached by Maroons legend Arthur Beetson with Mal Meninga coming out of retirement to play five-eighth and captain the side.

The full squad, which was named in Queensland yesterday but will not be made public until later in the week, reads like a who's who of the game in the past 20 years

Andrew Johns, Laurie Daley, Marcus Bai, David Peachey, Bradley Clyde along with the former guests of the Pie in the Sky event will take on Hay's first grade side as part of their blockbuster pre-season weekend.

Former Magpies coach Ken Beissel, who is one of the masterminds behind the grand plan, kept his cards close to his chest about the rest of the squad yesterday, and did not confirm or deny that Newcastle great Johns would partner Meninga in the halves, only saying that "he might struggle to make the side".

However, The Area News has learnt from a senior Hay official that the request to play has been accepted by Johns, signalling he will be a part of the

weekend Beissel hopes put will "put Hay on the map."

"For as long as I'm around I want to be able to try and take legends of the game out to Hay, maybe not as many as what we're talking for next year but at least one," he said.

"We're hoping to raise around the $75,000 mark for the club and the weekend is set to be a huge boost for the rest of the town as well financially.

"I believe we have the blueprint to resurrect footy in the bush we've proved that there is sponsorship dollars out there just you have to go out there and chase them."

With the cooperation of the Queensland and New South Wales FOGS, the complete side is set to be one of the most star-studded ever seen in the region.

Hay president Don Payne was elated about the high-profile names already confirmed for March 5 next year, saying it will be the perfect way for the club to kick off their first full season in Group 20.

"We've had CRL come on board and they're suggesting that we might organise a Group 20 invitational leaguetag side to play the Hay team and we're also looking at a Group 20 side playing or an academy side playing in the lead up to the main game, so it'll be a full day," Payne said.

Beissel also hinted that the club would be use funds generated from the weekend to help other Group 20 club in what he said would be a celebration of the game in the Riverina.