If successful, Michael will be accepted into the South West Sydney Academy of Sport and will take the first step on a possible professional sporting career.

Michael has been playing for Mittagong for the past three years in the under-14s, 16Bs and 16As teams and is looking forward to showing the selectors what he can do.

"It should be good to take part in the trials. It will be a nice challenge," Michael said.

"I went down and watched some of the Wests Tigers boys go through some drills, but I think I can hold up to their standards."

Michael has been training particularly hard in the lead-up to the trials.

"I train every second day; working on fitness, tackling, jogging up hills and working on my strength, that kind of thing," he said.

"When I train I tend to focus on tackling.

"If you're a good tackler then you're a good football player."

Not only will Michael's fitness and tackling be tested at the trials, he'll also take part in training and a match.

Full story in Wednesday's Southern Highland News.