THERE'S an old saying that states that the more things change, the more things stay the same.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
This saying fits North Tamworth Bears number four Andrew Moodie down to the ground. Despite shifting codes and leaving Pirates for the Bears at the start of this season, Moodie's run of premiership success has continued.
The 37-year-old returned to Group 4 and many had concerns Pirates' Central North premiership chances might suffer. However, those concerns proved unfounded because, while Moodie was helping the Bears win a sixth-consecutive premiership, Pirates were moving one step closer to winning a fourth-straight premiership of their own by winning last Saturday's preliminary final.
"It's obviously pretty special to have both clubs be successful at the same time," Moodie told the Leader.
"When you come to clubs like North Tamworth and Pirates, everything is always built on respect.
"At the start of the year I came here, put in the hard work to earn that respect and it is exactly what I did when I first arrived at Pirates.
READ ALSO:
"I think a big reason why these two clubs have been so successful over the years is because most blokes who come to these clubs have the same mentality and are prepared to earn that respect."
Having suffered an ankle injury in the Bears' major semi-final win over Werris Creek, Moodie said he was likely to support his former club during Saturday's grand final from the sidelines.
"The boys did ask me to come up to Walcha and run the water, but I will have to wait and see how the ankle pulls up," he said.
"It's a bit tender at the moment, so it might be touch and go in terms of running the water, but I will be up there supporting the boys for sure." Moodie said he was "thrilled to win a premiership" with the Bears.
"As I get older, I think the premierships get more and more special," he said.
"I was a bit emotional before today's [Saturday's] game, thinking that this might be the end for me. But I was pretty quick to put those feelings away because I still have the fire in the belly to keep going. I am 37 now and want to keep going until I'm 40. As for whether I'll be playing league or union, I will have a few months off, spend some time with the family and make that decision early next year."