The simple philosophy driving Tyran's bid for premiership glory

Tyran Wishart has vowed to “keep it simple” as he prepares for his role as the Storm’s ‘Mr Fix-It’ in Sunday's grand final against the Panthers. 

The 24-year-old has played all but one game in another season of the excellence for the Storm and heads into the decider full of confidence. 

After starting the season on the bench, Wishart grew into a starting role in the halves after injuries to Dally M Medal winner Jahrome Hughes early on and a long-term groin issue for Cameron Munster. 

Wishart enjoyed a golden patch in the No.6 jersey between Round 12 and 21, scoring five tries and setting up three others as the Storm won eight of nine to maintain their lofty ladder position.

In a season that has seen him fill in everywhere from lock and hooker to five-eighth and fullback, Wishart has relished a return to the No.14 bench role with the Storm's first-choice spine back on deck.

“I just keep it simple, to be honest, and try not to overthink it,” he said in the lead-up to the decider. 

“Just worrying about the most likely situation to happen. That’s probably, at the moment, me coming on in the ruck. That’s what I’ve been doing each week.  

“There is always that opportunity or chance that something’s going to go wrong, because that’s just footy. 

“But in case of any injury, I like to think I’ve done enough reps and extras in certain positions so that if it does happen, I’m ready to go. 

“I like to just rip in during training, and then after, I’ll try and do anything that I can to make sure that I’m ready to go for any situation.” 

He reflected that he was proud of a season where he has established himself as a first-grade regular for the first time. 

Someone else who has undoubtedly watched his progress with pride is his father, Rod, who played 177 first-grade games for the Illawarra Steelers and St George Illawarra while representing New South Wales and Australia in the 1990s. 

A member of the St George Illawarra side that made it all the way to the grand final in their debut season in 1999, Rod Wishart's last game was the loss to the Storm in an epic decider at Stadium Australia.

The irony isn't lost on Tyran that he enters his first grand final representing the team that shattered his dad's dreams 25 years ago, but he knows Rod will be well and truly in his corner come Sunday.

Now 54 games into his NRL career and looking more at home by the week, Tyran will take the family mantra into the biggest match of his life.

"Dad just played to his strengths, that's the sort of player he was, and that’s what I try to do as well," he said.

"Just keep it simple."

The connection Rod has with rugby league in the Illawarra has led many to speculate that a return to the Dragons looms in Tyran’s future. 

There will likely be some tough decisions for Wishart to make as his contract expires at the end of 2025, particularly if he’s unable to break into the Storm’s starting side, but for now his full focus is on Sunday. 

“They do show a lot of care here, and that’s something that the Storm takes a lot of pride in,” he said. 

“They do things right here, and that’s why I love it here. 

“It took a few days to sink in [that I was playing in a grand final]. Once we got in and had a few meetings, started previewing the game and doing our usual things, it started sinking in. 

“It’ll be all guns blazing, and everyone will be ready to rock.”