Penrith co-captain Craig Gower, wounded by the bad publicity over his involvement in a nightclub brawl last month, enjoyed the opportunity to mix with a group of non-judgemental children yesterday.

The kids had their own problems, coming as they did from Westmead Children's Hospital to have lunch at a Homebush Bay hotel with Penrith halfback Gower and Parramatta second-rower Nathan Hindmarsh.

"A lot of these children are long-term patients, from the cancer ward and the liver unit," said Kym Peck, the hospital's tours co-ordinator. "A couple of other children who were hoping to come couldn't make it today because they have recently had major surgery."

Gower did not wish to discuss how he had been affected by the publicity over the incident at a Potts Point nightclub, which remains under police investigation.

He preferred to talk about the children, who were eager to meet the football stars and be presented with their choice from a new line of league merchandise - figurines of Gower, Hindmarsh, Mark Gasnier, Sonny Bill Williams and other NRL stars.

"You think your own life is difficult sometimes, but with these guys it's heart-wrenching to see some of the things that are wrong with them," Gower said.

"It's not a problem to come along here for something like this. It's great to be able to put a smile on the kids' faces when they're obviously doing it tough. You just hope they're going to get better."

Rare previous attempts to produce dolls or figurines in the likeness of specific league stars had failed the most important of tests - the degree of accuracy. They just didn't look like their subjects.

But the new figurines, produced by a company that includes player manager Sam Ayoub and former Wests Tigers hooker Darren Senter as partners and that is licensed by the NRL, don't suffer on that front. They look very much like the players, right down to the intricate tattoos worn by Bulldogs second-rower Williams. The children were impressed - as were Gower and Hindmarsh.

"That's definitely my nose," Hindmarsh said. "Nice definition in the quads, too. I was actually thinking about getting my hair shaved, but I might have to leave it for a while now.

"I think the figurines are a great idea. It probably should have happened a lot earlier, but they're here now and they've done a good job with them."

Gower added: "I had a few action figures when I was a kid. I always liked He-Man. It's good to have my own action figure. I don't think my legs are as defined as in the figurine, but that's certainly the way I kick."

Gower, who will be one of three captains at Penrith this season, along with second-rower Tony Puletua and hooker Luke Priddis, said the Panthers were confident about their chances of doing well.

Asked about his goals, Gower replied: "I'm just going to enjoy my footy. Pretty simple, really."