Football
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WHILE Saturday's glamour friendly might have been the main event, the true reason for Marconi's visit was a little further down the footballing pyramid - right at the bottom, in fact.
The Stallions, who are this year committing to a renewed focus on youth development, cast their eye over some of Griffith's finest junior players over the weekend.
It started on Saturday morning with a well-attended clinic at Hanwood Oval that saw youngsters of all ages put through their paces by the Marconi first team.
And it continued later that afternoon when two of HFC's most promising kids, George Pavese and James Musolino, swapped sides for the last half-hour to show Marconi coaches what they could do.
The pair had already spent the day in Narrandera training with the Riverina Rhinos squad but combined well on the right- hand side late on against Hanwood.
Stallions coach Darren Iocca said he was keen to see more of them, and any other potential stars in Griffith, in the future.
"For kids like that, we're a club that would be open to bringing them over for two weeks and having them train with our boys," he said.
"They need to experience some of that quicker level of training - I think it would be good for them, if they can come over and have a hit-out with the boys we've got."
Hanwood coach Anthony Agresta said: "It's a good experience for them. It's a bit hard when you're playing with people that you don't know but they did some good stuff."
New HFC president Brian Bertolin said the feedback the club received from the junior clinic was "excellent".
"Parents who had sent their kids last year were even asking me prior to this," he said.
"The reception they got was great, the kids loved it.
"It was an hour-and-a-half and all the kids were just fixed to them for the whole time.
"They remember those things we all do when we're kids.
"The Marconi boys had a ball, as well, and they're really a credit to their club, the way they do it.
"These guys aren't household names but they're a club from out of town, a prestigious club and the kids absolutely love it.
"We've got to build on these type of things as a club and as an association."
Iocca said his club was keen to continue the relationship between Marconi and Hanwood, which provides plenty of benefits on both sides of the equation.
"We started last year and if we can make this like a sister club (affiliation), we can keep it going," he said.
"For us it's a good bonding session to come out here.
"The boys really enjoy it.
"The newer players and the younger players are opening up so it's good to see them all get to know each other."