SAM Anderson would love to see his former club the Penrith Panthers win this weekend's NRL grand final.
Maybe even more so, Anderson has his eyes on another prize, next year's Newcastle Rugby League premiership.
The Maitland Pickers prop, after donning his old jersey at home on Sunday night when the Panthers meet South Sydney in Brisbane, will turn his attention to claiming a title which has eluded him.
Over the last two COVID-interrupted seasons, Maitland has lost just two games and finished on top of the table in different competitions.
The Pickers, opting to take part in a one-off state tournament last year, claimed the President's Cup double before returning to Newcastle RL in 2021 and dominating proceedings prior to coronavirus ultimately ending the campaign on the eve of the finals series.
Anderson knows the challenge now is maintaining that level of performance for another 12 months in order to clinch the trophy and he has no doubt the boys in black and white are up to the task.
"It's quite easy to get up for next year, you're probably even more driven wanting to complete what we couldn't do this year," Anderson told the Newcastle Herald.
"We're a very competitive group of teammates, we share challenges and we'll keep driving each other. We still haven't won a Newcastle comp yet so now that just goes into next year."
Anderson, although he hasn't officially signed a contract, will remain at Maitland in 2022 alongside the core group of Brock Lamb, Chad O'Donnell and the Langbridge brothers, captain Alex and Daniel.
He felt it was "disheartening" the season was abandoned earlier this month "without an opportunity to finish", but "understandable" based on the state's pandemic lockdown.
Time off the field recently has given Anderson the chance to tune in and watch the Panthers en route to the NRL decider.
Prior to becoming a real estate agent and father of three, the now 30-year-old played 7 NRL games for Penrith between 2013 and 2015.
"We loved Penrith, loved our time there and loved the place," he said.
"I only played a handful of NRL games, but they're still some of the best memories I've got. I had some really good times there and I haven't got any regrets in terms of that. I'll definitely be supporting them on Sunday."
Anderson, who won a NSW Cup crown with the Panthers in 2014 alongside Isaah Yeo, was given his NRL debut by returned first-grade coach Ivan Cleary.
"You've always got a soft spot for the bloke who gave you an opportunity in the NRL. I hope he (Cleary) gets his comp," he said.
Anderson also claimed a Queensland Cup with Redcliffe in 2018.
