Russell Aitken was sitting around with his mates on Tuesday night half joking that his name would bob up this week. While Aitken may have had a short NRL career, he remains part of grand final folklore when he was plucked from relative obscurity to replace Cameron Smith in Melbourne's 2008 grand final loss to Manly.
And with regular hookers Michael Ennis and Issac Luke set to watch Sunday's grand final from the sidelines, Aitken understands what the possible replacements would be going through.
Aitken had barely trained at hooker, let alone played in the No. 9 jersey during his 17-game NRL stint shared between Cronulla and the Storm. He enjoyed a distinct advantage compared to whoever plays dummy half in the grand final because he had already replaced Smith in the preliminary final as a result of the Melbourne skipper's grapple tackle suspension.
Apisai Koroisau is set to replace the suspended Luke while Moses Mbye or Reni Maitua will become makeshift hookers should they take the place of Ennis.
Aitken, who was graded as a half, has a simple piece of advice to whoever fills the voids.
"They just have to play their natural game," Aitken said. "It was a foreign position for me. I was pretty nervous. The semi-final win [against Cronulla], helped me ease the nerves a bit. I remember being pretty nervous a couple of nights before the game.
"I had my role to play. I wasn't expected to play like Cam or anything like that. I had a quick chat to Cam just about a few little intricacies to do with playing hooker and Bellyache (Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy) just gave me a bit of confidence and said 'play your own game'. Which was good."
Also part of the Storm coaching staff that season was South Sydney coach Michael Maguire who was given a first-hand look at how to deal with such a blow heading into the premiership decider. Aitken said the Storm didn't change their game too much, but extra pressure was placed on halves Cooper Cronk and Greg Inglis in Smith's absence.
Manly enjoyed a record-breaking 40-0 win.
"We didn't change a hell of a lot, maybe we should've," Aitken said. "With both gun hookers out, I think South Sydney have a bit more of an advantage because they have young Koroisau who can come in and do a really good job. Canterbury have shown they can pull a rabbit out of their hat with Tony Williams switching to the halves [earlier this year]. Anything is possible with (Canterbury coach) Des [Hasler].
"You don't feel awkward [replacing someone like Smith]. You're part of the squad. You feel excited that you get to play. Because Cam was suspended it was a bit strange. I felt sorry for Cam. You're just excited to play and there is a job to do.
"I had a really good relationship with Madge (Maguire). He was always in there giving plenty of tips trying to make the players improve."
The grand final appearance would be Aitken's last NRL match before he joined AS Carcassonne in France. The 29-year-old captained/coached Campbelltown City Kangaroos this year.
"I just remember walking out [on grand final day] and during the national anthem, looking at my family and getting emotional," Aitken said "They blew us off the park on the second half and I just tackled, tackled and tackled."
