Marata Niukore looked over at teammate Isaiah Papali'i on the road to Parramatta's preliminary final last week and knew his next time running out with his good mate could be his last.
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Niukore, Papali'i and four of their Eels teammates have signed elsewhere for 2023 and all but one have featured on the club's charge through the finals.
Having prolonged their stay by a fortnight with two sudden-death finals victories, Niukore, Papali'i, Oregon Kaufusi and Reed Mahoney will all play for the Eels for the last time in Sunday evening's grand final.
"There's no better stage for your last game at a club where you've got a lot of memories," Niukore told AAP.
"To end on that, it's going to be massive for me and the other players who are in the same situation."
The Eels have made a point of honouring their departing teammates with big performances in the finals series.
The playing group sat down to talk over the topic in the lead-up to the preliminary final win over North Queensland in Townsville, before Niukore and Papali'i had their own heart-to-hearts going to and from the airport.
"We kind of just looked at each other and talked about how good it would be if we left with a ring and a premiership next to our names," Niukore said.
"Me and Ice (Papali'i) have got a pretty good relationship and I spoke about treating it like any other game and if that happens to be the end, then so be it.
"We've just talked about taking it day by day.
"But now we've got one more and it's the big one."
Penrith are standing between the two mates and a fairytale finish with the club where they established themselves.
Papali'i, Niukore and the rest of the Eels forward pack will be largely responsible for putting kick pressure on Penrith halfback Nathan Cleary, who was given too much room in the Panthers' win the last time the sides met.
"We know what the Panthers can produce on game day. It's a challenge for us," Niukore said.
Australian Associated Press
