Ryan Manning and Marlin Pollack will tick off a childhood goal on Saturday

Not only is it the 19-year-old's first taste of top flight rugby league in the Central West, it's the first time he and Marlin Pollack will play first grade alongside each other.

It's going to be an incredibly special moment for the duo but it will be emotional to tick off a childhood dream without Mason Pollack

"It was mine, Mason and Marlin's dream to play first grade together," Manning said.

"With Ethan [McKellar] there too, it's going to be very special for the three of us but it's going to be hard without Mason.

"There might be a few tears between the three of us before the game but it's going to be unreal... I can't wait."

Manning has every right to take the field with a heavy heart on Saturday but when it comes down to it, the former Cronulla Sharks Jersey Flegg Cup playmaker knows he's got a job to do.

And while it's a daunting position to play in your debut, the moment has been made so much easier by Hawks' captain-coach Willie Heta.

"He's been so good to be around at training and he's always making sure I'm asking heaps of questions," Manning said.

He's just so kind and always wants to teach everyone.

"He just wants me to make the position my own and I'm going to try to always be around the ruck and just be energetic in attack and defence."

Lithgow won't enter the 2021 title race as premiership favourites, but it's never easy to win a game at Tony Luchetti Sportsground and Manning knows the Wolves will give him plenty of grief.

"Lithgow's always had a particular sort of playing style so I'm going to be mindful of the big collisions when I'm bringing the ball back," he said.

Orange Hawks begin their 2021 Group 10 season at 2.15pm.

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