He’s seen countless teammates do it over the years and now Brian To’o will get his turn in season 2024.
Following the birth of his baby boy last October, the 25-year-old will get to live out a lifelong dream by bringing his new son, Atreus Gohanrome-Stephenny, onto the famous BlueBet Stadium turf after a match.
It’ll be a special moment for the pair, who have been inseparable since To’o’s wife, Moesha, gave birth late last year.
“The first two weeks of him being born were challenging and new, but big ups to my wife – she’s definitely a team player, leads from the front and has been looking after baby very well,” To’o proudly told the Weekender.
“She stays up at night with him, just doing all the little things. My little man’s growing every day.”
While taking his son to a footy game is on To’o’s bucket list this year, he also admits he can’t wait to come home to his little family after putting in the hard yards on the field.
“It’s something I’m looking forward to,” the three-time premiership winner said.
“It’s always been a goal of mine to have a child of my own and finishing a game – whether we win or lose – coming home to my children and my wife… nothing will beat that!”
Since making his NRL debut midway through 2019, To’o has been one of the most successful players in the competition. Not only has he played in four Grand Finals and won three titles, but he’s also often first picked in State of Origin for NSW and played in a Rugby League World Cup Final for Samoa.
It’s certainly been a remarkable five seasons in the top grade for To’o and, to make things more unbelievable, he hasn’t even played his 100th game yet.
But while season 2024 is still to kick off, To’o can’t stop thinking about losing another one of his best friends at the conclusion of the year.
Jarome Luai, one of To’o’s best men at his 2022 wedding, will play his final season at Penrith after signing a monster deal with the Wests Tigers in January.
After farewelling Stephen Crichton and Spencer Leniu at the end of last year, To’o is starting to think he may be the reason so many of his mates are leaving.
“I don’t know if they’re leaving because of me because I’m too annoying, but I know I’ll miss Romey the most,” he said.
“I definitely want to send him off on a high note. He’s done a lot for this club and for all the beautiful fans of the Penrith Panthers as well. To send him off on a high note, I wish him all the best for that.”
And it’s not like the pair will be strangers once Luai departs, To’o is expecting his Samoan brothers to be around his place regularly.
“They can all come over to baby sit and let me have some sleep,” To’o said about Luai, Crichton and Leniu.
“It’s been good having the boys over and to check in on the baby as well. It’s not really a goodbye, it’s more of a see you again soon.”
Nathan Taylor is the Weekender’s Deputy Editor and Senior Sports Writer. He also compiles the weekly Chatter on the Box TV column. Nathan is an award-winning journalist, who has worked at the Weekender for a decade.
