Legendary NRL hardman Mark Geyer in tears at son's looming Panthers debut
Penrith legend Mark Geyer became visibly emotional when speaking about his son's looming debut for the Panthers.
Mavrik Geyer, 23, will make his first NRL appearance when Penrith takes on the Roosters in Sydney on Thursday.
His father is one of the greatest Panthers ever. Mark played 135 games for the club and was a member of the 1991 premiership side.
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Speaking on his Triple M radio show on Wednesday, Geyer revealed how he found out Mavrik was being picked in first grade this week.
He was sitting at home with his wife and mother on Sunday when his phone rang.
Penrith legend Mark Geyer was emotional speaking about his son's debut. Triple M
"We kind of all just froze," Geyer said.
"(My wife) Megs was on the lounge next to me and she was in a bit of shock, my mum started crying, then my oldest boy came out and said 'what's going on?'.
"It's immense pride, he's worked his arse off. When he first left school he worked on roofs for a couple of years, he would come home to have a swim in the pool then go to training.
"He's earned the right and we are immensely proud of him. He's a great kid."
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Mavrik is a backrower - like his dad - and played junior football for the Panthers before being added to the senior squad.
He will wear the No.17 jumper against the Roosters at Allianz Stadium.
About 90 members of the extended Geyer clan will board buses from Penrith to travel to Sydney's east for the occasion, according to Geyer.
He presented his son with his debut Panthers jersey at a presentation after training on Wednesday.
Geyer says he struggled to hold back tears when Mavrik referenced his father, and his uncles Greg and Ben Alexander.
All three were talented young Panthers players when Ben tragically died in a car crash in 1992 at the age of 20.
Mavrik Geyer. Getty
"He spoke about me playing for Penrith, his uncles Greg and Ben," Geyer said.
"We don't often talk about Ben because it was a real sad part of our life... as soon as he started talking about Ben I kind of choked up.
"It meant so much to us. It's the club that made me who I am today."
