In-demand breakout star Tyran Wishart offers clue on NRL future ahead of grand final

With former star Rod Wishart at his first NRL grand final since his own heartbreak 25 years ago, Tyran Wishart will try to achieve what his father couldn’t and win a premiership.

Rod’s one and only grand final experience came at the same venue, Accor Stadium, in 1999 when his St George Illawarra Dragons lost to Melbourne.

But the ex-Kangaroos and NSW Origin winger will be right behind Wishart and the Storm as they look to topple Penrith on Sunday.

“Dad definitely wasn’t at the 2010 grand final when the Dragons won it because we all watched it together, we were on a holiday, so I don’t think he’s been at one since,” the 24-year-old said.

“Footy-wise, he’s good, he just keeps it simple and I think that’s the sort of player he was — he just played to his strengths and that’s what I try to do as well.

“He won’t be bombarding me with advice, he understands that this club has put everything in place for us to do our best.

“The coaching staff here, obviously with Craig (Bellamy) at the top, they’re unbelievable and us players who haven’t been here before can lean on those who have and I think we’ll want to make the most of that.”

Able to play just about any position, Wishart has been lauded as the competition’s most improved player in his third season at the club.

In the absence of injured five-eighth Cameron Munster, he wore the No.6 jumper mid-season for 10 games, victorious in eight.

Wishart said it was “humbling” to hear such praise but believed many other players, including his own teammates, were also worthy.

“I guess it was a pretty good year for me in terms of game time and I was able to get selected in the 17 each week which was a bit different to the previous two years where I was sort of in and out of first grade.

“I’m proud of that, probably more than actually that praise, to be honest.”

Contracted to the Storm in 2025 but able to negotiate with other clubs from November, Wishart has been linked to St George Illawarra or as a big-money target for another Sydney club, who can offer him a starting role.

He said Rod would support whatever choice he made, while mum Gil and his Wollongong-based partner would no doubt like to see more of him.

“I don’t think he really would mind to be honest,” said Wishart, with the family based in Gerringong just south of Wollongong.

“I think he would probably like to have me around more and I definitely know mum would.

“But they do things right here (at the Storm), and that’s why I love it here.”