Lachlan Ilias has spent the past nine months watching Cody Walker run the ball, call the play and assert himself on the field.
Come Saturday night, Ilias will finally get the chance to play alongside him.
Long destined to succeed Adam Reynolds as South Sydney's halfback, Ilias will run out with the big guns for the first time in the Charity Shield in Mudgee.
No other rookie in the competition has an important role as Ilias this season.
At his best Walker is one of the most dangerous players in the competition, scoring 16 tries and setting up 33 in 2021.
Walker's key is freedom, making clear he still intends to roam on both sides of the ruck this season while expecting his hands on the ball more.
For that he needs a No.7 who can put the team in the right spots, link up at the right moment and organise around him.
After months of studying, the 21-year-old is confident he is ready.
"I've just been trying to watch Cody and see how he deals with the team," Ilias told AAP ahead of Saturday's trial against St George Illawarra.
"Whoever wears that No.7 jersey is expected to know their role.
"Early in the set we communicate with Cody, that's been the way for the past few years.
"Cody calls the shots and everyone reacts off that, everyone relays the message and we're on the same page.
"He's the best playmaker in the comp. Just give him the ball and he is going to do something special."
Ilias and Walker have trained alongside each other for just two months, with Ilias having minor back surgery at the end of last year and Walker back to training late after the grand final.
But after playing just 11 games in the past two years due to the impact of COVID-19 on lower grades, Ilias has had plenty of time to prepare.
He ran opposed sessions against Walker in the Queensland bubble last year, with the games taking on more intensity given the lack of football.
That came before and after his debut in round 25 alongside an inexperienced South Sydney side, before a summer of preparing to guide the top team.
"Cody's been massive in helping me improve as a player on and off the field," Ilias said.
"He's challenging us in trying new things and being our best every day and so have the coaching staff.
"They've been massive in our development."
