When he was preparing for the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal, Dubbo boxer Brian Tink called on Dubbo Macquarie footballers to act as training partners.

“I went to Noel Sing and his Blues teammates and they were only too keen to help,” Brian remembered.

So when his fledgling young protege, Will Pollard needed some opponents, he went to Will’s older brother who is a lower grade coach at Dubbo Kangaroos to provide some keen ring “fodder”!

The “Boxing Kangaroos” who put up their hands were not prepared for what was in store.

“Nobody can believe how fit boxers need to be to take to the ring. We run, stretch and do a lot of strength and endurance work even before we build up our skills and technique,” Dubbo’s only home-grown Olympian told me.

“The Macquarie boys tag-teamed three minute rounds. None lasted more than a minute! It was the same last weekend, although a few of the Roos have done a bit of boxing and cross-fit work so we’re able to stay a little longer.”

Brian says the experience was invaluable for young Will who toured the Pacific Islands last year and recently won his first bout after stepping up into professional ranks.

“He needs as much training in the ring as he can get so the Roos provided great opposition.”

Will is splitting his training between Jeff Fenech and his team in Sydney and with Brian and at Lenny Bateup's gym. He is awaiting a date for his next bout.