Bryson Goodwin will notch up his 150th NRL game this Thursday at ANZ Stadium, having yesterday been named to start at centre in the Club’s Indigenous Round clash.
Oddly enough, the veteran of 72 Rabbitohs games will achieve the milestone playing against the club with which his father, the great ‘Lord’ Ted Goodwin made his name, in the form of the Dragons.
It’s been a long and interesting road for the now-Rabbitoh, who began his career on the wing for Cronulla against the Gold Coast in Round 24 of the 2007 season, before moving on to the Bulldogs in 2009 where he would achieve his first Test cap for New Zealand.
But Goodwin’s career would hit a speed-hump in 2012 that would serve to stoke his desire while playing for the Bulldogs against his old Cronulla teammates. Goodwin ruptured his spleen in a collision with Sharks fullback Matthew Wright, and while the hit seemed innocuous, it turned into a life-threatening injury that would leave him bed-ridden for months.
But with his fighting spirit helping him to overcome the setback, Goodwin arrived at Redfern with renewed enthusiasm in 2013, along with a new lease on life. He would make his Club debut against the Sharks in Round 2 of that season, starting in the centres before being a part of the Club’s 2014 Premiership-winning squad, and playing a role in the 2015 World Club Championship victory.
Goodwin was also voted by Members as the 2015 Roy Asotasi Members’ Choice Award Player of the Year at last years’ Red & Green Ball. Members regarded Goodwin as having been South Sydney’s best throughout the 2015 season in an online poll that ran until late September.
For Rabbitohs Head Coach, Michael Maguire, Goodwin’s fighting spirit and character epitomises what the Club stands for.
“That’s a credit to the person,” said Maguire.
“There was a period there where I guess Bryson thought his career might have been over, but he’s now defied that to play over 70 games for the Club, and he's done so with great professionalism.
“In any career, you face all sorts of adversity, but Bryson just keeps coming and works really hard for the Club.
“All milestones are great achievements, and his is one to be incredibly proud of. I’ve seen him grow, I’ve seen him evolve into a great Test player and he’s a consistent performer for us here at Souths.
“What he’s showing on the field now I think is some of the best footy he’s played, and he’s helping a lot of those younger guys in our squad to get better through his experience. He’s a leader.”
Goodwin will achieve his milestone in this week’s Rabbitohs Indigenous Round clash at ANZ Stadium.
The jersey that will be worn by the Rabbitohs this week is designed by Sydney-based Indigenous designer, Nikita Ridgeway, and tells the stories of the Club’s Indigenous players.
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Purchase your tickets to the Club’s Indigenous Round celebration at ANZ Stadium by clicking here!
Purchase your very own Rabbitohs 2016 jersey, also AVAILABLE IN WOMENS, by clicking here!
