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Souths salivate at potential silverware

Ever since he started playing rugby league as a youngster in Coonabarabran, central-west NSW, South Sydney back-rower Kyle Turner longed to play in a grand final – any grand final.

So when the chance finally arises, to do it in front of 80,000 people in the NRL decider, for one the most famous teams in Australian sport, the 22-year-old can be excused for failing to hide his excitement.

“Not one grand final, in junior footy, lower grades, school, anything,” Turner told AAP.

“We went close a few times with the Coonabarabran Unicorns, but just never got there.

“And here I am now playing for Souths in their first grand final in 43 years in my rookie season, it’s amazing.”

A lifelong Souths supporter, Turner moved to the big city five years ago and lodged with his aunt in Bankstown.

He made the daily commute to Redfern on the train to play and train with the Rabbitohs’ under-20s side before his parents moved up to join him in Sydney.

The 22-year-old is one of several players who have come through the ranks at Souths and played a part in the run to the grand final and he puts the success down to being accepted by the senior members of the side.

“Everyone is mates, you can go up and talk to the senior boys and not be intimidated by them,” he said.

“That has made it really easy for young guys like myself, Luke Keary, Alex Johnston, Dylan Walker and Kirisome Auva’a, that we can walk up to guys like Sammy Burgess, Greg Inglis or John Sutton and talk to them and ask advice.

“I always wanted to play for Souths, as a kid that was my dream. It’s a bit surreal … to be a part of this great team that’s now in a grand final.”

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