Ryan is one of Dubbo's most famous sporting exports, having enjoyed an 11-year career in the NRL that featured a premiership win with the Canterbury Bulldogs in 2004 as well as State of Origin and Kangaroos selection.

The man well known as 'Bobcat' also had plenty to do with fellow Dubbo exports Yeo and Burton as they grew up, and he couldn't be more proud to see the two bush footy products on the grand stage this weekend.

"It's awesome," Ryan, 42 and now based in Newcastle, said.

"It's phenomenal, really, to see two guys coming from St John's, through Dubbo and through the system and, from my dealing with them and from what I've seen, they've stayed exactly the same and that's a credit to them and their families."

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Yeo and Burton are heroes to so many young players in the home town and wider western area - as was clear to see when they were mobbed by fans during the Panthers' match at Dubbo back in May - and Ryan knows how important that is as well.

He's taken an extra interest in the pair given the Dubbo connection but has also had plenty to do with them.

Ryan was part of the coaching staff of the NSW Country and NSW under 20s Origin sides Burton has been a part of while he was also involved in the NSW Country representative squad that featured Yeo in 2016.

"They're two of my favourite players in the comp now and I'm just that proud to sit back and watch them.," he said.

"When I was growing up I used to idolise guys like Dean Pay so to see others come through is awesome."

The Dubbo pair have been among the very best players in the NRL this year and both were rewarded with places in the Dally M Team of the Year earlier in the week.

Yeo was again named at lock after claiming the accolade last year while Burton was selected in the centres after a stellar season on the left edge.

Yeo is already an Origin representative while Burton featured in selection chat earlier in the year and while the COVID pandemic has brought a halt to all international footy, Ryan thinks the pair have what it takes to pull on the green and gold of the Kangaroos.

Ryan was the last Dubbo product to represent his country, having made the first of his 11 appearances for Australia in 2003.

"I've got absolutely no doubt," he said.

"Isaah is already firmly in the (NSW) side and is a big part of it and, from what I saw, Burto was getting pretty close this year.

"You don't want to put any pressure on them but I'd love nothing more to see them playing together (for NSW) and who knows what could happen beyond that."

Ryan played in two NRL grand finals, losing the first with Parramatta in 2001 before captaining the Bulldogs to glory three years later.

Yeo was part of the Panthers team which was beaten in last year's decider by Melbourne while Burton was on the sidelines, having been on the fringes of first grade selection all year.

"It's the best," Ryan said of grand final week.

"It's why you play footy. You want to win premierships and be there on grand final day.

"Those guys, from a Penrith point of view, being there last year would have helped them.

"Last year it was new and almost daunting but the second time around, when I was at the Bulldogs we just enjoyed the week and embraced everything that came at us and we were lucky enough to get the result.

"They seem to be having fun and enjoying themselves, both sides are, but watching the Panthers closely they're still having that fun and that's super important."

The grand final kicks off at 7.30pm on Sunday night.

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