BRETT Finch played more than 200 games during his NRL career, during which time he also lined up for NSW Country.
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The Maitland native knows firsthand how important regional games - like Saturday night's match between Melbourne Storm and Penrith Panthers in Bathurst - are to the code. Here are his thoughts ...
THERE'S three things certain in life, death, taxes and the fact that there will be talk about expanding the NRL competition at the start of every year.
For the last two weeks it's been front, back and centre page news with every commentator, journalist and fan offering an opinion on where the next NRL franchise should be.
Expansion may be a way off for the NRL, but this weekend the game does something that I believe it needs to do more of, taking games to regional areas.
The best way for the NRL to expand the game is to nurture it at the grass roots level.
Carrington Park in Bathurst this weekend will be a sea of NRL jerseys, some will be there to barrack for the Panthers, some will be there to cheer on the Storm and others will be there because it will be the only chance they get this year to see an NRL game live.
The impact of this weekend's game can't be underestimated, for kids to get the chance to see the likes of Cameron Smith, Cameron Munster, Nathan Cleary and Regan Campbell-Gillard in person is huge.
For some youngsters it will be the first time they've had to watch and NRL game live.
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It's a chance to ignite a flame in the juniors of Bathurst and surrounding areas, to show them that their dreams of playing professional rugby league is attainable.
As a player there is nothing better than getting the chance to play in the bush.
There's an electricity around town in the lead-up to the game that's akin to a State of Origin or Grand Final build-up.
Houses and shopfronts are littered with colours and streamers representing both sides, people passing you in the street stop and wave and beep their horns and make you feel like you're part of their community.
As a player you get a sense of just how much our game means to the people who support it.
Warming up on the field before the game, the fans are close enough to touch you and you can't help but thrive off their energy and enthusiasm.
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The playing surface at Carrington Park was absolutely outstanding last season and I'm tipping it will again be the envy of many NRL clubs when it's on show again this weekend.
Last year's game in Bathurst was an absolute belter and this weekend's game has all the hallmarks of being something special as well.
There were plenty of question marks over the Storm coming into this season, but they have shown in the opening fortnight that they are again the team to beat in 2019.
The Panthers were scratchy against the Eels in Round 1, but showed enough last weekend against the Knights to ensure their fans that they'll be up to their eyeballs in this competition at the business end of the season.
Come to think of it there's actually four things that are guaranteed in life, death, taxes, talk of expansion in the NRL at the start of every season and that this weekend's game at Carrington Park is one that shouldn't be missed.
If you can't get to the game on Saturday night make sure you watch all the action on Fox League from 7.35pm.