LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
The Last Dance: Sunia Turuva aiming to go out on top
In a classic tale of sporting redemption, Sunia Turuva of the Penrith Panthers is set to make his final stand against the mighty Melbourne Storm in the 2024 NRL Grand Final.
This match is not just another game, it's a chance for Turuva to show that he's got what it takes to come out on top before riding off into the sunset.
Having honed his skills at Patrician Brothers' College in Blacktown, Turuva has been a loyal soldier in the Panthers' rugby league army since the very beginning.
But now, as he prepares to don the Penrith jersey for the last time, he knows that it's time to leave it all out on the field.
As he gears up for his 52nd and final appearance for the Panthers before moving on to the Wests Tigers, the 22-year-old reflects on the bittersweet emotions of saying farewell to teammates and good mates Brian To'o and Izack Tago.
It's a bond forged in the fires of competition, a camaraderie that will last long after the final whistle blows.
In a touching moment of reflection, Tago reminisces about the days when they first crossed paths on the football field, a meeting that led to a friendship built on trust and mutual respect.
It's stories like these that remind us of the beauty of sport, the unbreakable bonds that form between players who leave it all out on the field.
"To be honest, it hasn't quite sunk in yet," admits Turuva in an interview with Zero Tackle.
"But I know that when the final whistle blows, and I look around at the crowd, my teammates, and the game that has given me so much, that's when it will hit me.
But for now, I'm focused on one thing and one thing only - giving it my all and leaving everything I've got out on that field."