The Koori Knockout is the only time you will see NRL stars like Latrell Mitchell or Josh Addo-Carr up against players who usually knock around in their local country league.
Former NRL players Cliff Lyons and Dean Widders both head to the knockout year after year.
Lyons reckons the few times he's missed the carnival were because he was playing in England and when he had NRL grand final commitments.
Proud Anaiwan man Widders has been around the Koori Knockout since he was a child.
As a youngster, he would play with his dad and against his cousins and other family members over the years with the Armidale Narwan Eels from northern NSW.
Widders told AAP these days his body is too old to be out on the field having a run so instead he's commentating for NITV, which screens the entire tournament live.
"It is the biggest cultural celebration and gathering that we have these days and I see it as a big ceremony for everyone," he said.
"We have family reunions, you catch up with friends and people you haven't seen for a long time."
This year's Koori Knockout, the 51st carnival, is being hosted by the Newcastle All Blacks at the Central Coast Regional Sporting Complex in Tuggerah over the long weekend, beginning on Friday, with the finals on Monday.
Up to 130 teams are expected to compete in the four-day event across men's, women's and junior categories, with more than 30,000 people expected to attend the carnival.
Lyons, who played more than 300 games for Manly and represented NSW and Australia during the 80s and 90s, is helping out with the Wiradjuri Warriors.
"The knockout brings the community together and it's like a bit of a reunion with your cousins and relatives that you don't see," he said.
"It's about getting back to the old ways.
"It's also just giving back to the mob and, obviously, without the NRL and NRLW players going back to that league they wouldn't be able to play with their cousins and relatives and friends."
Widders said the football was amazing, with all sorts of magic on the field and passion amongst the crowds.
"Seeing that all come together in a big celebration of people, culture, sport, happiness and competitiveness all in one is an amazing event you don't want to miss," he said.
"You see world-cup-winning superstars of the NRL go up against just a local uncle who hasn't played in 10 years and sometimes that local uncle can beat those superstars."
For Lyons, too, it's a chance to really connect with the game he loves and check out some young players coming through.
"It's very tough, it's very physical - so if you can get past those two bits you can come out a winner," he said.
"Those old days back in Redfern, that used to be pretty intense, with the odd rumble here and there.
"These days, it brings communities together again and gives them a really good chance to build something together."
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