Just to add to that story, as I knew Spudd thru athletics. Thank god he is a year older, cause he could motor for Greystanes Athletics club when he was a young teenager.,.
Then later on when he got graded with MG at Penrith . They terrorised opposition forwards when they won the ‘87 reserve grade GF. But then there was the problem of John Cartwright coming thru in the second row. Now this is where the nepotism surfaced again for Spudd. Merv Cartwright was the equal to what Uncle Nick is to the Rorters. MG was great mates with both. But three second rowers didn’t fit. So Souths lured Spudd away. I’ve run into Spudd many times since. And asked the question was it a case of nepotism. To Spudds credit, he never blamed the Cartwrights, but knew the writing was on the wall. So he took the Souths deal. He doesn’t mull over that situation in his book, because he is still good mates with the Penrith crew.
But, as you mentioned, he fkn hated Parramatta 100%. I used to go and watch Souths v Parra, just to see the carnage he and Les Davidson would deliver.