'Time's up soon': Frizell ready to grasp rare shot at GF glory
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Newcastle veteran Tyson Frizell has opened up on the pain of watching rival clubs taste premiership success as he prepares to end a 16-year wait to play in a grand final.
The 34-year-old made his NRL debut with the Sharks back in 2011 and has featured in 305 NRL games but has never been this close to the Provan-Summons Trophy.
In fact, he'd never got past the second week of the finals until Newcastle's fairytale run to this year's grand final.
Tyson Frizell celebrates game 300
Frizell's fear he may never play in a decider grew with each passing year as he watched his NRL rivals play for glory on the first Sunday of October.
"After every year when you fall short you wonder if you'll get there," Frizell told NRL.com. "You always need something to chase and it's something I've definitely been doing in the back end of my career.
"To play in a grand final and ultimately win one is something I've been chasing and we've still got a big job to do but to get to this point is exciting."
Match: Roosters v Knights
Grand Final -
home Team
Roosters
4th Position
away Team
Knights
7th Position
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
After making his debut with the Sharks, Frizell moved to the Dragons in 2013 before joining Newcastle in 2021.
The veteran has experienced plenty of ups and downs with the Knights and played a key role in leading the turnaround from the wooden spoon to the grand final in the space of 12 months.
Game breaker: Sandon Smith's match-winning double
While few thought the Knights were a chance of progressing this far, Frizell always had hope and is desperate to make the most of what could be his only shot to win a title for Newcastle.
"I'd be lying if I said this game didn't carry extra meaning," Frizell said. "It definitely does.
"In the back of your mind you know your time's going to be up soon and you don't want to let this opportunity slip away. I'll be doing everything I can, I know the players will be no different.
"If we can do a good job, play our style of footy, I'm sure we can come away with the win."
Frizell is the experienced head in a young Newcastle forward pack, with many of his teammates in the formative years of their careers.
Cody Hopwood and Jermaine McEwen only made their debuts last year, while Francis Manuleleua and Lachlan Crouch are in their rookie campaigns.
Newcastle coach Justin Holbrook has worked hard to ensure his young squad have a connection to the club's past, with the 1997 and 2001 premierships referred to regularly throughout the year.
Grand Final emotions after 12-man win
Club legend Paul Harragon has addressed the side in recent weeks and Hopwood said the prop's message will be fresh in their minds on Sunday night.
"Chief [Harragon] has taught us to stay present," Hopwood told NRL.com. "I didn't realise the effect we could have on the community but speaking to Chief, he described it.
"It's a feeling that's hard to describe but he taught us to embrace who we're playing for and we've taken that on board these past few weeks."
After 4 weeks of thrilling finals, it all comes down to this. One play can define a season. These are the moments that matter. Don't miss a second of the action with kick-off at 7.30pm Sunday night live on Nine, 9Now and Sky Sports NZ.
