Goodwin wants to honour brother and lift Cup
WARRINGTON centre Bryson Goodwin is aiming to honour the memory of his brother with victory in today’s Challenge Cup final against Catalans.
In March 2017, Goodwin’s elder sibling Leon took his life on the eve of South Sydney Rabbitohs’ clash with Newcastle. Goodwin decided to play in the NRL encounter to take his mind off the devastating loss.
He joined Warrington at the start of this season and will run out at Wembley with his late brother in his thoughts.
“Leon helped me out so much and was my coach, so I’ll definitely be thinking of him a lot,” said Goodwin.
“I think about him every day and it’s pretty hard not to, but I’m just trying to get on with life.
“I’d like to honour Leon by lifting the Challenge Cup but, at the same time, I’m doing it for myself and my wife and kids.
I’ve been happy with how I’ve gone this year. I picked up a niggly injury midway through the season which slowed me down for a while, but that’s contact sport.
“When you look at it, we’re in the Challenge Cup final and have a great chance of being in the play-off semi-finals in the Super League.
“You can feel the desire around the town and the passion for the club, so it would be fantastic to bring the trophy home.”
Goodwin was part of the South Sydney squad who won the NRL title in 2014 but was not selected for the Grand Final win over Canterbury, when Sam Burgess defied a fractured cheekbone to win man-of-thematch honours.
Goodwin, who helped New Zealand to victory over England in the 2013 World Cup semi-final at Wembley, added: “Sam is the best forward I’ve ever played with. His desire to win was second to none and he has the skill to go with it. He’s a great bloke off the field too, as are his brothers.
“I played in the game for Souths when Sam, Luke, Tom and George were all playing at the same time. That was an amazing occasion to be a part of.
“But it was frustrating to miss the 2014 NRL final, so winning at Wembley would make up for that.”
Warrington coach Steve Price yesterday confirmed his Wembley line-up with Ryan Atkins and Morgan Smith missing out.
Catalans forward Mickael Goudemand, 22, could make only his sixth senior appearance if veteran forward Louis Anderson fails to shrug off a calf injury.