SHELLHARBOUR Sharks talent Euan Aitken has been rewarded for his big pre-season by being named to make his New Zealand Warriors debut this Saturday.
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Aitken has been named in the centres for Nathan Brown's side, who will battle the Gold Coast Titans at Central Coast Stadium from 3pm.
The Merimbula-Pambula product, who will become Warrior #251, is one of four players that will make their club debut on Saturday, with prop Addin Fonua-Blake, second-rower Bailey Sironen and bench forward Ben Murdoch-Masila also doing so.
Milton-Ulladulla's Jack Murchie has missed selection in the Warriors round one squad, while Kiama's Mitch Rein will start at hooker for the Titans - who are coached by former Milton-Ulladulla Bulldog Justin Holbrook.
These are just three of the numerous South Coast products named to be involved in their respective club's round one fixtures,
Nowra-born Cody Walker will start at six for South Sydney when they travel down to Melbourne to face the Storm on Thursday at AAMI Park.
The Storm will be without injured co-captain Dale Finucane (calf), from Bega, for the clash.
Friday will see former Batemans Bay Tiger Adam O'Brien and his Knights host the Bulldogs, featuring Tathra's Adam Elliot in the back-row.
Later that night, Moruya's Rhys Kennedy is on the Broncos' extended bench for their game against the Eels, coached by Batemans Bay's Brad Arthur, at Suncorp Stadium.
While on Saturday, the Roosters and Sea Eagles game at the Sydney Cricket Ground has a distinct South Coast flavour.
Kiama twins Josh and Brett Morris will respectively start at centre and wing for the Roosters, while Gerringong's Reuben Garrick has been selected in the wing for Manly-Warringah.
Cobargo's Morgan Boyle will start on the bench for the Sea Eagles too.
Then on Sunday, Albion Park-Oak Flats' Adam Clune will start at five-eighth for the Dragons against the Sharks, who also have Gerringong's Tariq Sims (back-row) and Shellharbour's Trent Merrin (bench) in the 17-man squad - with Gerringong's Jackson Ford named as 18th man.
Pambula-born Jack Williams will start from the Cronulla-Sutherland bench, while Narooma's Teig Wilton is in the Sharks' extended squad for the match at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium.