NRL: Goodwin keeping excellence in the family

Bulldogs' Bryson Goodwin skips out of a tackle from Matt Bowen of the Cowboys. Photo / Getty Images

Bryson Goodwin enjoys reading the papers.

The Bulldogs winger with the famous dad has been lapping up the hype and hyperbole surrounding tonight's Battle of Sydney against the Eels.

With the sort of season he's been having - 19 tries in 22 games for a Bulldogs side that has gone from wooden spooners to contenders - it's no wonder the 23-year-old enjoys his trips to the newsagent.

Certainly it's hard to imagine many negative things being written about a player who was shown the door by Cronulla last season after making just seven appearances in two years.

His partnership with centre Josh Morris (21 tries) is the most potent attacking flank combination in the competition.

This week a Sydney newspaper ran a nice light-hearted piece about Goodwin's sister Rearne, who dates Eel centre Joel Reddy. The NRL rivals enjoy bowling together and, apparently, lying about who is best.

Things aren't quite so touchy-feely, however, in the murky world of internet message board sites. Goodwin's decision to declare himself available for New Zealand may have been a coup for Stephen Kearney's Kiwis, but the news was greeted with less than universal acclaim.

Goodwin's comment at the time that he would "love to play for Australia, but I doubt they'd pick me" went down like a cup of cold sick with hardline Kiwis fans.

"Just the sort of passion for the jersey we need - piss off Goodwin," one poster wrote.

Others echoed those sentiments, but it's a judgment that appears extremely harsh. After all, Goodwin's only crime was being honest.

A second-generation Australian, his father is a Kangaroos and St George legend. An electrifying fullback during the 70s, "Lord" Ted Goodwin played 147 first-grade games, including 116 for the Dragons, with whom he won a grand final in 1977.

Goodwin senior scored 57 tries - including a spectacular effort when he knocked himself out while scoring during the 9-9 grand final draw with Parramatta in 1977.

The Dragons won the replay 22-0, with Goodwin kicking six goals and a field goal.

The son, however, is on track to eclipse many of his father's deeds. The old man's single season try mark of 13 has already been blitzed.

Goodwin's form is such that he was being rated as an outside chance to make the Kangaroos Four Nations squad. But such talk was stopped cold in August when he declared for the Kiwis.

Goodwin's grandmother is Maori, and it is that ancestry he points to when explaining his decision.

"I played for the Maori last year and a few years ago, so I'm not worried about anything," he said.

"It was a big decision. I grew up in Australia. But, I don't know, I didn't mind making the decision to play for the Kiwis - if I get selected.

"I'm proud to play for New Zealand. I can't wait to just get out there and play."

He should get his chance, although wing is an area where the Kiwis are blessed with plenty of talent. Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Sam Perrit, Luke Covell and Kevin Locke are all contenders. But with injured hulks Manu Vatuvei and Taniela Tuaki out of the picture, Goodwin likes his chances.

He also has the advantage of still being in the shop window, with tonight's match, expected to be played in front of a record crowd, another chance to prove himself on the big stage.

Having been forced to watch from the stands as Cronulla exited at the same stage last season with a 0-28 flogging at the hands of Melbourne, Goodwin is thrilled just to be lacing his boots up.

"I couldn't ask for more really," he said. "This game has been really built up a lot because of the rivalry the two clubs have with each other going back to the 80s. It should be awesome. I can't wait to get out there."

The Bulldogs' traditional in-your-face defence would be the key to halting the runaway train that is the Eels, he said.

"Fuifui Moimoi and Jarryd Hayne have been going great for them. If we can stop them we should be all right.

"A lot of teams have been standing off [Hayne], but if we just defend how we always do we'll be all right."

The Bulldogs also have their own ace up their sleeve - returning halfback Brett Kimmorley.

"He is huge for us," Goodwin said. "He settles us down in attack and his enthusiasm in defence and his attitude brings a lot of confidence to the team.

"We are confident we can win it."

BRYSON GOODWIN
Age: 23
Height: 1.86m
Weight: 95kg
Position: Wing, fullback
Clubs: Sharks 07-08, 8 games, 2 tries
Bulldogs: 09 - 23 games, 19 tries
Family: His father, Ted, played for Australia and his brothers, Bronx and Luke, have played at NRL level. His sister, Rearne, dates Eels back Joel Reddy. Goodwin qualifies for New Zealand by virtue of his Maori grandmother and has declared himself available for the Kiwis.