IT'S been a long time since a game of rugby league in the Roma District fixture competition has been played at the Ross Bourke Oval in Taroom.
Seventeen years to be precise since the thud of a tackle was heard, since children cheered on the sidelines, or a tinnie was cracked over the bar.
But those distant memories of yesteryear are set to become reality once more as the resurrected Taroom Wandoan Battlers prepare for a one-off home game against Roma Cities on August 1 in Taroom.
The Battlers are playing as the Miles Devils reserve grade in the 2015 Roma District competition, the first year back in a regular competition since 1998.
Before this season, the boys played twice a year for the Lindsay Williams Shield and the Terry Charles Memorial.
Captain Luke Baker said there was a lot of pride in pulling on a Battlers jersey, and to do so in front of a home crowd would be "something pretty special".
"The boys are looking forward to the Taroom game and will thrive on the home crowd atmosphere," Luke said.
"We're very grateful for the opportunity to play as the Miles Devils reserve grade this year, and we thank them for letting us host a home game. Footy in Taroom has always been so well supported, and we hope everyone can come along and watch us have a win."
The last two times the Battlers have played Roma Cities this year, they have been narrowly defeated by a field goal in the last minute of play. In both rounds the final score was 23-22.
"If people are looking for an exciting game of rugby league to watch, then this will be it," Luke said.
"As a team, we have lacked some consistency but that was to be expected with such a young side."
In saying that, the Battlers have only lost four games this year and the biggest defeat was by eight. Their attack has been relentless, with a 52-6 score line the Battlers' biggest win to date.
It will be a full day of footy action in Taroom on August 1, as the Wandoan Wildcats Junior Rugby League Club will welcome teams from Jandowae to play a junior carnival.
The 1994 Battlers reserve grade premiership team will be presented in the afternoon, before the current Battlers team take on Roma Cities in the reserve grade clash. The A grade game will be played between the Miles Devils and Cities.
After the senior games, a bar and music will provide the perfect setting for players and supporters to catch up and no doubt reminisce about the good old days.