Pirtek Parramatta Eels club captain Tim Mannah and Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs player Krisnan Inu have spoken to the media today about Friday night's Bandaged Bear Cup at ANZ Stadium.
The boys both say it's exciting to be able to visit The Children's Hospital at Westmead, and bring smiles to the sick children's faces.
"It's a great thing, we're pretty fortunate that we're close by in the area and get to see this place often, and the great work that's involved here," Mannah said.
"When you zoom out of your little bubble you realise there are way more serious issues than winning games. That's not an excuse - it's definitely important to win and not lose - but there are bigger things than footy too."
Inu agrees, and says it's important to put his life into perspective.
"Visiting friends and families in the hospital, it's always special and it's one of those moments you realise you're grateful for all the things you have," Inu said.
Speaking about Friday night's clash at ANZ Stadium, Mannah says the Eels-Bulldogs rivalry is always strong.
"There's so much great history, for me personally, in 2009 we had a great clash against them in the preliminary final, and I really hope all the fans come out on Friday night and get behind it," he said.
"They're a tough team, the Eels," Inu said.
"They haven't been going as well as they would like, but it's always tough against them. When I was at Parra I always looked forward to the Bulldogs games, and now I'm with the Dogs, I look forward to those games against the Eels."
Click here to buy tickets to the game on Friday night and support the Eels.
The boys both say it's exciting to be able to visit The Children's Hospital at Westmead, and bring smiles to the sick children's faces.
"It's a great thing, we're pretty fortunate that we're close by in the area and get to see this place often, and the great work that's involved here," Mannah said.
"When you zoom out of your little bubble you realise there are way more serious issues than winning games. That's not an excuse - it's definitely important to win and not lose - but there are bigger things than footy too."
Inu agrees, and says it's important to put his life into perspective.
"Visiting friends and families in the hospital, it's always special and it's one of those moments you realise you're grateful for all the things you have," Inu said.
Speaking about Friday night's clash at ANZ Stadium, Mannah says the Eels-Bulldogs rivalry is always strong.
"There's so much great history, for me personally, in 2009 we had a great clash against them in the preliminary final, and I really hope all the fans come out on Friday night and get behind it," he said.
"They're a tough team, the Eels," Inu said.
"They haven't been going as well as they would like, but it's always tough against them. When I was at Parra I always looked forward to the Bulldogs games, and now I'm with the Dogs, I look forward to those games against the Eels."
Click here to buy tickets to the game on Friday night and support the Eels.
