BRENDON Simpson says regardless of the result, "to know it's my last game and to know it's a grand final" makes the retiring Souths prop "pretty happy".
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Simpson, 32, will get to play "one more" time after the Lions booked a spot in the Newcastle Rugby League decider by edging out Cessnock 28-22 in a thrilling encounter.
Souths, qualifying for a fourth title showdown in the space of eight seasons, now meet Maitland at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday.
"One more. I was saying to the boys this morning [Sunday], to know it's my last game and to know it's a grand final and to do it on a big stage and to actually be playing for something proper, I'm pretty happy regardless of the result," Simpson told the Newcastle Herald.
Simpson, born in Mudgee and a Knights junior who made his Newcastle RL debut in 2010, has called Souths home for the best part of a decade and over 100 first-grade games.
The former Lions captain, a miner and father to 15-month-old Hugo, has twice experienced premierships (2016, 2018) and now he gets to shoot for a third.
Souths reached the competition's last two by mounting a comeback against Cessnock in Saturday's preliminary final at Kurri Sportsground, scoring 24 second-half points which featured back-to-back tries in the closing 10 minutes.
The Lions were down 14-4 at the break, 20-10 later and 22-16 in the 64th minute.
"The first half we just gave away so many dumb penalties and we had to fight our way back. We just needed a bit of momentum," Simpson said.
Simpson came through the contest unscathed and was pleased to provide an assist, a short pass to hole-hitting Ryan Glanville in just the third minute.
"I checked the stats to make sure it was there and didn't go unnoticed," he said jokingly.
"I think the s%#t pass [to me] actually contributed to it, because they probably expected me to just bash it up."
Simpson welcomed the return of both winger Jarrod Flanagan (concussion) and forward Justin Afflick (knee), who came off the bench after an extended stint on the sidelines.
"He [Afflick] is a workhouse so we'll have him anytime," he said.
In terms of hanging up the boots, Simpson says he's "toyed with the idea for a while".
"If I wasn't doing shift work or I didn't have a bub, I might not even be thinking about it, just a culmination of everything," he said.
Simpson started his Newcastle RL career at Lakes in 2010 before a year in Nelson Bay and three with Macquarie.
Outside a season off in 2020, he's spent the rest of his time playing out of Townson Oval.
Simpson estimates making around "160 or 170" first-grade appearances.
Undoubtedly one of the most memorable was the 2016 grand final at McDonald Jones Stadium, Souths defeating Macquarie to end the club's 27-year premiership drought.
"That was massive. Hopefully we can do the same this year," Simpson said.
IN THE NEWS
Josh Callinan
My name is Josh Callinan and I'm a sports journalist at the Newcastle Herald. I started with the newspaper in 2016 after a decade at the Maitland Mercury.
My name is Josh Callinan and I'm a sports journalist at the Newcastle Herald. I started with the newspaper in 2016 after a decade at the Maitland Mercury.
