Bay and Basin's Stubbs, who has represented the team on numerous occasions, and Bomaderry's Maher, who was making his debut this year, gave their all against teams from all over the country, at this recent event.

The pair's journey to the Blacktown International Sportspark started with a trial in Wollongong.

"Dad and I and my friend Sam [Stubbs] and his father Chris went up to Wollongong to a trial," Maher, who has autism and an intellectual disability, said.

"Unfortunately, I broke my arm two weeks before the trial in a tackle for the Tigers, so I had to go up in plaster."

Maher, following this trial, received news of his selection via email.

"My little brother Ben read me the email that said I made the team," he said.

"I was really happy and proud that I could do all of this with my friend Sam."

During the Rams time in Blacktown, they suffered tough pool defeats to Queensland (1.4-10 to 0.2-2), Victoria Country (4.4-28 to 0.0-0), South Australia (3.4-22 to 1.2-8), Western Australia (1.3-9 to 0.3-3), Tasmania (3.4-22 to 0.1-1), Victoria Metro (5.1-31 to 1.0-6) and Northern Territory (7.4-46 to 0.1-1).

These losses were followed by defeats to Western Australia (7.7-49 to 2.3-15), Tasmania (8.13-61 to 4.1-25) and Queensland (10-5-65 to 4.5-29) - before ending their tournament with a courageous 4.8-32 to 3.5-23 loss to Tasmania.

"I tried my best but I liked the final matches the best, as they were longer games," Maher said.

"I kicked four goals, took some good marks and made solid tackles.

"I also got a medal saying I was the most improved player for NSW/ACT team."

On top of that medal, the 16-year-old Cambewarra athlete had numerous highlights from the week away.

"My highlights were probably the goal I kicked in the last match and all the new friends I made," he said.

"I also got to do a lap of honour at the GWS versus Collingwood match with all the teams and everyone high-fived us.

"It was so amazing to represent NSW/ACT - it made me so proud.

"I can't wait to try out next year - I told my mum to wash my uniform for me so it's ready."

As much as he is looking forward to representing his state in the future, the St John the Evangelist Year 11 student also appreciates his journey up to this point.

"I started playing AFL with Bomaderry because my friend Jack Batson told me to play in his team with him, about six or seven years ago," he said.

"I have been part of a few of the premiership wins with the Bomaderry Tigers and represented the Shoalhaven Swans at the representative carnival.

"Bomaderry has helped me feel like I am just like everyone else.

"Coaches Dion [Larkins], who I still play for in the under 15s alongside my brother Sam, and Greg [Muffet] taught me how to play AFL and my team help me kick goals."

Related content: Sam Stubbs and Will Maher named in NSW/ACT Rams side

While everyone at the Bomaderry club is proud of Will's achievements, the people most proud of him are his family, parents Scott and Glenda and brothers Sam (15), Zac (13) and Ben (eight) - who all watched Will in action at Blacktown.

"Will was diagnosed with his condition when he was two and a half years of age, when doctors in Sydney told us he would never fit in at a mainstream school, never make a friend, never talk and never play as part of a team," Glenda Maher said.

"Lots of nevers, but since moving to Cambewarra, Will is slowly proving them wrong."

Since first hearing about the inclusion carnival, when Maher's mate Stubbs first made the team, the Bomaderry product has been waiting until he turned 16 to trial for the side.

"This carnival highlights the abilities of athletes like Will," Glenda said.

"It's a chance for them to shine, become superstars for a week and offer experiences they may not ordinarily get.

"It's hard for someone with an intellectual disability to be offered opportunities to participate in a team environment like this - especially after watching his three brothers participate in as much sport as they want during their lives."

Even though he's only been home for less than a week, Glenda acknowledges the impact the carnival has had on her son - who constantly reminds them all of his four goals.

"Before the carnival, Will had probably been sheltered a fair bit by all of us [his family], but since the carnival, we can see a newfound confidence in him," she said.

"The coaching and the support staff within the Rams team were incredible - despite not winning a game during the carnival, they remained positive and celebrated every aspect of the carnival with the men.

"After a team bonding night watching the Lion King, they adopted the motto Hakuna Mattata (no worries) - we couldn't be prouder.

"At the end of the day, it's not about the goals on the field but the goals off it that AFL NSW/ACT offered.

"The chance to play footy, make new friends and have that sense of achievement in representing their state in something they all love doing."

Glenda reiterated the point made by her son, that this opportunity may have never come to fruition if not for the tremendous work of the Bomaderry Tigers.

"We are lucky at Bomaderry - Will has been treated like everyone else and his whole team ride every wave with him," she said.

"Every goal, every success, every improvement, every time he runs out on the field.

"The Tigers and Shoalhaven junior AFL have embraced Will and all he can bring to the game.

"Will's coaches over the years - Dion Larkins, Greg Muffet, Ash Priest and Darren Gration - have set the tone that everyone brings something to the team and have encouraged Will and brought out the best in him.

"I can't thank them all enough."

Will Maher hopes to push for Inclusion All-Australian squad honours in the future.