They say a tiger never changes its stripes, but this sportsman is earning new ones while maintaining a lion's heart.
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Twenty-year-old Blake Jeffrey has been selected to the 2019 GSR-Wests Tigers under 23s representative squad.
Jeffrey plays back row for the Mittagong Lions and is feeling confident heading into the GSR competition for 2019.
"Being selected for the under 23 squad feels pretty good," Jeffrey said.
"I had a year off last year and thought I'd have another go this year for rep football.
"The year off was about focusing on myself and club football.
"I feel like I've come back stronger from that time off."
News broke online that Jeffrey had made the Tigers squad but he was completely oblivious to the talk on the internet.
"My coach was the first to give me a call," Jeffrey said.
"He told me first, apparently it was all over Facebook but I didn't know until he gave me a call, so that felt great to hear it from him first.
"Then I got a message from the old man and then finally I told my girlfriend [laughs].
"When the rest of the family found out they were stoked along with everyone else. It was great."
The future is still unknown for Jeffrey because he is living in the now.
This opportunity has his focus as well does his commitments to his local club.
"I'm not to sure where my footy career will take me at the moment," Jeffrey said.
"I'll have to see how it all plans out and go from there.
"I just want to focus on 2019 right now and see how far I can go in this GSR competition and hopefully get a premiership at Mittagong.
"The Lions have really helped my career. They're such a good club. One of the best clubs I've played for and they've helped me a lot as a footballer and also off the field as well.
"You couldn't ask for a better bunch of players.
"We're all really good mates down at Mittagong and that's what football's all about."
Jeffrey's passion for the sport and his club all stemmed from a family history of being involved in the game.
"My old man used to play league, so it's come just naturally," Jeffrey said.
"My older brother also played so I've been bought up around the sport.
We're all really good mates down at Mittagong and that's what football's all about.
- Blake Jeffrey
"I love the physicality and the toughness of the game.
"The game of league itself brings people together, on and off the field.
"I love the Mittagong Lions, it's such a great club. All the people that are involved, they're all really great people."
Training for the Under 23's representative squad began on February 20 at Victoria Park in Picton.
Their first game will be held in March at Campbelltown Stadium.
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