Mavrik Geyer has spent his life watching the 1991 grand final three times a day, but he’s ready to forge his own memories after a strong debut for Penrith that showed he’s more than ready to handle the rigours of the NRL.
After three seasons in reserve grade, the local junior and son of club legend Mark Geyer finally got his crack in first grade in Penrith’s controversial 22-16 win over the Roosters
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A home debut would have been nice, but there was nothing wrong with playing in front of 100 friends and family who made the long trip east and set up camp in their own bay from the minute the gates opened.
“I knew they were coming,” Geyer said after an impressive 30-minute stint in the second half.
“I let my family sort out tickets and all that so I could focus on the game. I think there were about 100 of them, so hopefully they’re back at mine kicking on.”
This is a journey that’s been years in the making, with Geyer learning from a young age through his father and famous uncle Greg Alexander – a couple of grand final heroes – just what it means to represent the Penrith community.
“They won the first grand final here, and these boys have now won three in a row, so it’s a good place to be at. I love it. It’s special,” he said.
“It (the grand final) is on at my house three times a day. My dad makes me watch it all the time. I’ve watched it a few times and it’s special. That short dropout where dad hits Roycey (Royce Simmons) and he scores for his second is very special.
“It’s not about making a name for myself. I’m so glad that I have the last name Geyer and that I get to live on the legacy that my father and my uncle paved. To do it at this club is very special.”
His father was one of the toughest men to play the sport, but Mark broke down a couple of times this week and then presented his son with his jersey at an emotional event on Wednesday.
“He sort of set the tone and made it more pumped up. He said a joke about the way I look at him, and I think if he cried then I would have been goneskies and would have cried a bit more,” Mav said.
“It’s been a long road and a big grind, but I’m just so glad it’s happened and that my family were here. The fact that we won is the best part about it.
