Frazer Price remembers being the ball boy at Wests for any number of years growing up.
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As the son of Rosellas' three-time, premiership-winning captain-coach Tony Price, it was hard to imagine being anywhere else.
But this weekend the Merewether-based family, for the first time, will be in opposition to Wests as Price junior lines up at five-eighth for Maitland in a top-of-the-table clash against his former club.
"I've never played against them [Wests] before so it will be a bit different," the 22-year-old carpenter said.
"I think even dad will have the black and white on. He's happy for me and he'd like to see us [Maitland] get up."
Wests junior Price arrived at Maitland Sportsground from the Rosellas this season and has virtually swapped spots with playmaker Ryan Walsh, who left the Pickers to join brother Luke at Harker Oval in 2019.
"Last year I could see that there wasn't really going to be a spot for me [at Wests] with who they had signed," he said.
"At the end of last year I had about four or five clubs contact me and Maitland was the best of them."
And so far, so good for Price at his new home in postcode 2320.
The Pickers are two from two to start the Newcastle Rugby League season, having accounted for Cessnock (22-18) away and Central (27-20) at home in the opening rounds.
"I'm loving it at the moment. It's new and it's exciting and it's what I needed," he said.
"And we're two from two so I can't complain."
Price said his combination with Maitland halfback Tyler Perrin is "starting to gel", particularly under the expert guidance of coach Luke Dorn.
"It's good having Dorny there as an old fullback and halfback," Price said.
"He's definitely taught us a bit already."
Dorn reckons Price has shown some positive signs in the early stages.
"He's really good to have around because he's got such enthusiasm," Dorn said.
"He's still learning to guide the team around and where to be but he runs well, is strong in defence and competes for everything."
Outside a short rugby union stint at Merewether Carlton in 2016 and 2017, Price has only ever played rugby league for Wests and his father notched up 220 games for the club before being named in their team of the century.
"I was a Wests junior and I was a ball boy forever, probably since I was three of four until I turned 13," Price said.
"We have to start strong," he said. "If we can do that we can win."
