Dylan Walker has dared Penrith to put "one on" him after the Panthers had vowed to exact retribution on the Manly star for his trash-talking in last week's NRL win at Lottoland.
The Panthers and Sea Eagles face off for the second time in a week in Saturday's elimination final at Allianz Stadium in what promises to be a fiery affair.
Walker on Wednesday refused to back down on Penrith's threat to get a shot at him in the sudden-death final, but hosed down the on-field talk as banter.
"I come in this morning and that's what the boys told me. What can you do man? It's a competitive sport. If they want to put one on me, I'm more than happy to," Walker said.
"What I say on the field, it gets left out there. It's a bit of respect between both teams.
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"There was words exchanged, but I think it was all a bit of good fun out there. After the game, I even told some of their players sorry for lairing up."
Walker said his gamesmanship wasn't pre-planned and instead remained focused on doing his job for the team - and urged the Panthers to do the same.
"If it was me in their shoes, I wouldn't make a big picture about wanting a single player," he said.
"I'm more than happy to forget about it and worry about what you have to do for the boys and the team. It's just heat of the moment, those sort of games.
"I don't go out there thinking I have to do those things. I go out there and play what I have to play. Some things happen. If you're definitely going to dish it, you've definitely got to take it.
"I thought I did that on the weekend."
Walker expects a torrid opening to the elimination encounter after the Sea Eagles had blown the Panthers apart last week and shot out to a 28-0 lead.
The winner faces the loser of the qualifying final between the Sydney Roosters and Brisbane.
"They're going to come out a bit more fired up and try and start the game faster. What we can do is defend well, kick chase, try and do all the little things right," Walker said.
