Bega-based Penrith tragic Michael Haigh says the stars are aligning for the Panthers in this weekend's NRL grand final.
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The self-described head supporter for the Penrith Leagues Club said statistics anomalies have him confident for Sunday.
"It's some very interesting statistics emerging with the Panthers this year," Haigh said.
"We're coming off the back of 17-in-a-row and it has been 17 years since we've won the grand final.
"And in that grand final it was the father-son combination of John and Martin Lang - and now we've got Ivan and Nathan [Cleary], the stars are lining up in our favour at the moment."
Haigh is celebrating his 60th in Wollongong this weekend and is watching the game from his son Aaron's house - who is a diehard Melbourne fan, but Haigh reckons Dad is winning the biscuits this weekend.
"You'll be catching up with a winner on Monday," he says with a laugh.
Mick and his wife Annette's third son Beau will also celebrate his 30th this weekend with the couple saying a Panthers win would round out a treble of celebrations - even though most of the family back other teams.
Annette backs the Eels, and their four sons back a mix of clubs.
"My eldest Shaun follows the Bulldogs, Aaron is a diehard Melbourne fan, Beau goes the Titans and Ryan has stuck with his old man to follow the Panthers - he's got the most sense," Mick said with a laugh.
The Penrith flag is even flying proud at home in Bega, though Mick admits he did crumble to pressure and took it down for a few weeks.
"People were telling me weren't going to make the first finals, but we took down the Roosters, then we beat Souths and now we're straight through."
For Mick his support has been a near 50-year love affair with the club since his brother Tony served in the 21st Supply Batalion in the Army and worked in the old Leagues Club as a manager.
"That was in 1970 and '72."
And an interesting local link emerges as Mick recalls fellow Group 16 referee "Sugar" Ray Ryan being the head of security at the club with his brother during the transition to the current clubhouse.
With powerhouse player Nathan Cleary in line for his 100th in the grand final, Mick said the core structure of young guys was the turning point for the premiership.
"This year we've got seven of the under 20s that played in the grand final and won it, and four of them have been playing together since the 14s," Mick said.
"If you look at Melbourne when they started winning it was Cooper Cronk, Billy Slater, Cam Smith and another one and Brisbane had the same with the Waters boys and Lockyer.
"It's those teams with a younger base and the game is a lot quicker today."
Mick concedes he sometimes feels conflicted as he likes to follow the career of Bega league exports Dale Finucane and Adam Elliott.
"I do feel some conflicts because I have a lot of support for Dale and Adam - every time they come down I like to go and see how they're going.
"And I was going to colour my hair as well in support of Adam, but I thought the ol' grey fox looks bad enough in white let alone blue," he adds with a laugh.
"It is awesome to see these young guys from the Valley getting recognised as great footballers though."
Mick swears the Panthers are taking the trophy, but admits he expects a close game.
"My prediction is that it will be Penrith about 16-12, or it will finish at 16-all and Cleary will get the boot on the field goal."