He's represented his home state of Queensland and is about to play in his second straight NRL grand final, but rugby league wasn't always Kurt Capewell's only passion.

The Panthers second rower grew up in Charleville, a town 747 kilometres west of Brisbane, with a population of around 3,500 people.

He's the youngest of Darrel and Lyn Capewell's four sons.

He loved swimming, cricket and almost every sport you could play — including polocrosse.

"The only club they weren't in was the gun club, and it was next door," Kurt's mum Lyn told ABC Sport.

"He played polocrosse for Queensland.

"The whole family played polocrosse and it was a bit hard towards the end because it actually clashed with the rugby league season.

"So they had to make a choice, rugby league or polocrosse, and of course rugby league was the passion."

A decision that has paid off 

The 28-year-old has now played 95 NRL games and worn Queensland's maroon six times since his State of Origin debut last year.

"It's been a pretty hectic pathway through for him from out here, we've done a lot of miles, a lot of travelling to get him through his junior football, and then he went off to boarding school and from then on he's paved his own pathway really," Lyn said.

"They went [to boarding school at Ipswich Grammar] for year 11 and 12, all four boys, and that gave them a little broader outlook on life rather than coming off the farm and not knowing even how to catch a bus or train."

Capewell joined the Panthers in November 2019 after spending four seasons with the Sharks.

Before that, he won a Queensland Cup premiership with the Ipswich Jets in 2015, playing under Ben and Shane Walker.

A new chapter on the horizon

Capewell will continue his NRL career back in Queensland next season after signing a three-year deal with the Brisbane Broncos.

Sunday's grand final will be his last game with Penrith.

"I am looking forward to [joining Brisbane] obviously, I'd like to get the job done this year first before I worry about that too much," the 28-year-old said.

"I've sort of told myself a few weeks ago … it's coming down to crunch time now and this is the best chance I have to make some memories with these boys.

"Something we've been working on for the last two years is building for moments like this.

"We had our opportunity last year and didn't come away with the goods, so it would be good to get the job done this year."

Capewell is taking the build-up to Sunday's decider day by day, but said he was driven by the chance to finish his Panthers career with a premiership.

"I don't think he likes the thought of leaving Penrith without success," Lyn said.

"Kurt has a lot of respect for Ivan Cleary. Ivan gave him the opportunity to be a part of that pretty professional squad that they've developed, as an outsider, because as you know half of that team are Penrith juniors.

"So Kurt has come from not only outback Queensland into the walls of the Penrith community, but he always gives 100 per cent, he won't leave anything in the tank that's for sure."

Capewell family to flock to Lang Park on grand final day 

It'll be hard to find someone who will relish a "home" grand final more than Capewell on Sunday night.

"I am just stoked that Queensland gets to host a grand final, it's sort of a once-in-a-lifetime thing and to be a part of it is amazing," he said.

"I've got a few people coming in."

Including dad Darrel, who's been on a barramundi fishing trip in the Gulf of Carpentaria.

"He's been up at Burketown, chasing a few barra," Capewell said.

"He's just got back in time … he wasn't cutting his trip short.

"My oldest brother's actually a Souths supporter, Liam, so he'll be happy either way. But he's definitely barracking for me this weekend."

Lyn says about 20 family members will make the drive to Brisbane from Charleville this weekend.

Next year, they'll be able to see their son play more often, with Lang Park to be his new home at the Broncos.

"We're very much looking forward to it," Lyn said.

"He's had six years down in New South Wales and as much as you try to get down and visit, once you're in a business time off doesn't come too easy."