The two second-year CSU Mungoes are fresh off massive seasons in the Wallerawang Landscaping Cup and have made massive improvements since kicking off their senior rugby league careers.

Both guys spent their whole lives at Canowindra before setting sail for CSU when they turned 18 and are doing their town proud both on and off the field.

Kicking things off with Coady, the dynamic five-eighth started his Mid-west career as a fresh 18-year-old who was playing against men for the first time in his life.

Confidence was lacking throughout the opening weeks of his maiden year but since then, the livewire has developed into a leader, steering the side to a grand-final berth against Oberon, a match they lost 23-10.

Lachie Balcombe's story is also an interesting one as the 22-year-old came to university having only played soccer throughout his whole life.

When he was asked to fill in on the wing for one game in 2018, he took the opportunity with both hands and this season, topped the try scoring tally for the Mitchell men with eight meat pies.

And even though they have both played in back-to-back deciders, the duo doesn't plan on going anywhere in 2021.

"I finish uni this year but I'm going to work here next year and play because I just like it too much," Balcombe said.

The source of he fun throughout the year was largely due to new head coach Rhys Power and Balcombe knew what kind of a campaign the boys were in for before the season started.

"He [Power] made it just as fun as it was always going to be... I knew how much fun he was," he said.

"He was really good on the field but it's what he did off the field that made it such a good year."

Both players experienced the Mungoes' premiership-winning run in 2019 and Coady's expectations for this year were more of the same.

"Looking at the team we had, I definitely thought we could win it again," Coady said.

"All year our defence was our biggest strength and we just missed too many tackles in that grand final and you can't win games if you're doing that."

From a personal standpoint, the 20-year-old pivot would like to work on his composure moving forward as he understands he'll be one of the more senior players in 2021.

"I want to be a bit more of a leader," he said. "At times this year I got a bit frustrated, angry and rushed in my approach to the game."