Bailey Simonsson can still remember the day he worked out his father had played for the All Blacks.
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He was already in primary school, so it had clearly taken some time to find out Paul Simonsson held the record for most tries scored on debut by an All Black - four against Japan back in 1987.
The reason?
"He's a pretty humble dude," former New Zealand sevens player Simonsson said.
"He doesn't really like talking about himself, he just focuses on us kids and giving us the best life he could.
"Obviously that was a pretty cool thing for a Kiwi, having your dad play for them. Knowing that was pretty cool.
"Ever since then I always wanted to follow in his footsteps and one day play professional sport myself."
MORE RAIDERS NEWS
Now the Canberra Raiders utility sits on the cusp of playing in an NRL grand final against the Sydney Roosters at Sydney Olympic Park on Sunday night.
His coach and the man that handed Simonsson an NRL debut? Former Raiders halfback Ricky Stuart, whose right boot once inadvertently ended Paul's first grade debut for North Sydney.
The Bears kicked off and the Raiders played out their set of six. Then the ball came to Stuart, who sent a towering kick over the Norths debutant's head in 1991.
Paul went to turn, his studs got caught and his boot didn't swivel, and his anterior cruciate ligament tore.
"I never got to watch him play. I was only a baby when he stopped playing so I don't remember too much about him playing," Simonsson said.
"He played at a high level in both codes and he has had a few injuries that cut him short.
"He has been a massive part of my life as a footy player and as a dad, he has always been there for me.
"I just want to go out there and do my family proud."
Simonsson never got to see his old man play, so who was it that he grew up idolising?
Like any Kiwi kid his age, there was always one electrifying playmaker with a booming step standing head and shoulders above the rest.
So it was fitting the last NRL grand final Simonsson got to see in person came the night Benji Marshall helped the Wests Tigers to their maiden premiership in 2005.
How could he ever forget that night? That moment?
"I remember that was when Benji did that flick pass, that was crazy," Simonsson said.
"I used to love watching Benji when I was younger. Watching that game was unreal, and ever since you're young, you dream of being good enough to one day be on that stage.
"To be able to fulfil that dream this week, and be on that stage in a grand final, it's a crazy feeling. At the same time the most important thing is just keeping a level head and focusing on the game."
So does Simonsson have any flick passes in the arsenal leading into the biggest game of his life against the reigning premiers?
"I don't know how it's all going to happen this week or how it's all going to unfold," Simonsson said.
"All we've got to do is give 100 per cent and stick to our game plan, and hopefully we get that result against the Roosters."
NRL GRAND FINAL
Sunday: Canberra Raiders v Sydney Roosters at ANZ Stadium, 7.30pm. Tickets available from Ticketek.
Raiders: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Nick Cotric 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Joseph Leilua 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Jack Wighton 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Josh Papalii 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Iosia Soliola 11. John Bateman 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Joseph Tapine. Interchange: 14. Bailey Simonsson 15. Emre Guler 16. Corey Horsburgh 17. Dunamis Lui. Reserves: 18. Sam Williams 19. Ryan Sutton 20. Siliva Havili 21. Sebastian Kris.
Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Latrell Mitchell 4. Joseph Manu 5. Brett Morris 6. Luke Keary 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Sam Verrills 10. Isaac Liu 11. Boyd Cordner 12. Mitchell Aubusson 13. Victor Radley. Interchange: 14. Angus Crichton 15. Zane Tetevano 16. Nat Butcher 17. Siosiua Taukeiaho. Reserves: 18. Lindsay Collins 19. Drew Hutchison 20. Jake Friend 21. Ryan Hall.