The 2016 Grand Final will mark the end of an era as Mike Stevo Stephenson will commentate on his final game after 26 years on the microphone. Cheap Nike Vapormax . Stevos commentary with Eddie Hemmings has become an institution in its own right but all good things must come to an end and his retirement will leave a big hole.As a player, Stevo was part of the Great Britain team who won the World Cup in 1972 and played a key role in Dewsburys Championship triumph against the much-fancied Leeds in 1973. Stevo paved the way for the modern hooker - in fact, he changed the way the hooker plays with his darting runs from dummy half. After moving to Australia and playing for Penrith, Stevo retired from playing in 1978 and had no inclination to come back to England. However in 1990, he led a supporters group over for Australias tour, and Eddie convinced the newly formed British satellite television broadcaster BSB to give him a go as a commentator. Eddie Hemmings and Mike Stephenson at the 2016 Man of Steel awards As BSB evolved and finally became Sky Sports, Stevo followed and his six-week visit that started way back in 1990 ended up being a 26-year tour!A keen scholar of the game, Stevo started the Rugby League Heritage Centre which featured the history of the game and looked to preserve memorabilia, including rare jerseys, medals, caps and programmes. Watch NOW TV Watch Sky Sports for just ￡6.99. No contract. For many years the centre was housed in the basement of the George Hotel in Huddersfield - the same hotel where, back in 1895, 21 northern clubs voted to break away from the Rugby Football Union and form what became the Rugby Football League.Following the sale of the hotel back in 2013, the collection was in jeopardy but it seems fitting that in the year of his retirement, plans were announced for a national museum to showcase his collection. Stevo is calling time on his broadcasting career after 26 years Stevo may not have been everyones cup of tea but no one can deny the passion and love he had for the game and even in retirement he will continue to promote the game.I have done my stint and I wont miss television - its time for younger people to take over, said Stevo.I will never miss rugby league because I will still watch it and go to games. I dont want to be thought of as the guy who stayed too long - a lot of people probably think that anyway. Its time for me to move on.Working alongside Eddie has been a absolute treat and I have enjoyed every single minute - even the arguments. I could not have done it without him.Eddie Hemmings Eddie and Stevo dress up in clothes from 1907 to commemorate New Zealands first tour to England 26 years have flown by and it wont be the same without him. The game will carry on but it wont be the same.It has been a blast - can I cope without him? We shall wait and see but he will always be a pal.Brian CarneyIf any player retires, becomes a commentator and delivers a broadcast with more energy than Stevo Ill be amazed. To do what he does for as long as he has takes fortitude. The fortitude you would expect from a World Cup winner. On the day you are doing a game that is hard to watch and harder to disguise for what it is, we will long for Stevo!!Terry OConnorHe is one of the greats. I think a lot of people have forgotten what he did on the field. As a player he was superb - Tim Sheens was a huge fan and says that he changed the way hookers played the game by running from dummy half.He always has time for everyone and is one of the nicest men I have ever met. He has been an absolute credit to the sport, a true gent and will be sorely missed.Barrie McDermottIm not looking forward to him going. He has been a huge mentor and a huge help for Terry and myself. We started at minus three and we have moved up to about zero - largely down to Stevo helping us out.With all his experience, it will be a huge loss to the game. In the not-too-distant future, I can see people saying that it is not the same without Stevo. Stevos colleagues from outside of Rugby League had some farewell messages for him Jon WellsThese are my ratings for Stevo:Value for money: 10/10 (goes without saying, really)Comfort: 8/10 (has become more comfortable with age)Amenities: 8/10 (used to have hair, now not so much)Location: 10/10 (ubiquitous for the last 25 years)He has spearheaded the development of televised rugby league in the UK for a quarter of a century along with Eddie Hemmings and Neville Smith and we owe them all a huge debt of gratitude for that.An amiable host who is perpetually full of joie de vivre, its never quiet when youre in his company. He is always on hand with advice and feedback, and willing to put himself out for the benefit of others. If I hear one more story about button mushrooms or gin and tonics at the Novotel, Ill explode. Prone to exaggeration (not necessarily a negative in this line of work).Phil Clarke Stevo and Phil Clarke with Dave Hadfield as he completes his Charity walk at Widnes Its B-Y-E time for Mike! Stevo has been the voice of Super League since its inception and has provided the commentary and controversy that all great sports need. His longevity in the sport, both on and off the field, has been remarkable and Id like to thank him for his efforts to promote and support the sport for so long.Professional rugby league is in the entertainment business and theres no doubt that Mike Stephenson has been entertaining. I would like to wish him well in his retirement, hopefully after hes seen his favourite one-pointer win the Grand Final.You can watch the Super League Grand Final, Englands tour of Bangladesh, plus Premier League football and the Japan Grand Prix on Sky Sports. Upgrade now and enjoy three months at half price! Also See: Sinfield: Stevo is Rugby League icon VOTE: Stevos top Super League player Rugby League on Sky Follow us @SkySportsRL Discount Nike Vapormax . His right arm rested in a sling and was encased in a cast from above the elbow to his hand. "Im excited," Fernandez said with a grin. Cheap Nike Vapormax China . -- Andy Granatelli, the former CEO of STP motor oil company who made a mark on motorsports as a car owner, innovator and entrepreneur, has died. http://www.cheapvapormax.net/ . Needing to bulk up on both sides of the line, the Falcons agreed to terms with guard Jon Asamoah, defensive end Tyson Jackson and defensive tackle Paul Soliai. Asamoah and Jackson played last season with Kansas City, where Asamoah lost his starting job.TORONTO -- Toronto Marlies coach Steve Spott didnt hesitate in calling Wednesday afternoons game Jerry DAmigos best of the season. DAmigo scored twice in regulation and added the shootout winner as the Toronto Marlies edged the San Antonio Rampage 5-4 in American Hockey League action. "Hes come back from the Leafs with a great attitude and the display he put on scoring goals, killing penalties and then in the shootout, he got our game puck and was deserving of it," said Spott. DAmigo beat Rampage starter Jacob Markstrom blocker-side in the sixth round of the shootout for the winner. "I was trying to bait the goalie to think I was going high blocker and went low," said DAmigo. "I kind of do that all the time when we do shootouts and Ive got a couple different moves from there, whatever I kind of read off the goalie, but it just kind of hit the post and went in." Brad Ross and Korbinian Holzer had the other goals in regulation for Toronto (27-15-4). Ryan Martindale, Matt Gilroy, John McFarland and Drew Shore replied for San Antonio (17-21-8). Gilroy had the best scoring chance in overtime, getting three opportunities to beat Marlies goalie Garret Sparks at 3:20 but came up short. "He was good, solid," said Spott of his netminder. "A real good prospect. He and Christopher Gibson auditioning for full time play up here and both guys have been solid. I think Garrett, since hes been recalled, has been very solid for us here in Toronto." Sparks stopped 18 shots in relief of Drew MacIntyre while Markstrom, who had lost both previous games against the Marlies, made 34 saves. Toronto improved to 3-0 this season against San Antonio, with one more regular-season meeting to go. The Marlies earned their third victory in six games and returned home after losing twice on their three-game, three-night road trip. Despite the loss, San Antonio is 10-4-4 all-time against Toronto and 5-1-1 at Ricoh Coliseum. The Rampage havent lost in regulation in six straight games (2--0-4) but dropped to 4-14-3 on the road. Nike Vapormax Wholesale. Alex Petrovic and Shore were playing in their first games since being re-assigned by the NHLs Florida Panthers. Greg McKegg, who played one game on a recall by the Toronto Maple Leafs, had two assists for the Marlies. "We rely on him in so many different categories. It was nice that he had his first NHL opportunity," Spott said. "It wasnt exactly a Tuesday night in Nashville, it was on Hockey Night in Canada against Ottawa so it was a great experience for both Greg and his family. "Hes come back here, I think, with a great mind set and were going to lean on him heavily down the stretch." Martindale put San Antonio ahead 4-3 with a short-handed goal at 12:39 of the third, beating Sparks to the stick-side for his fifth of the season. Ross tied it 4-4 at 14:29 on the power play, his fifth of the campaign. Prior to that, the two teams exchanged four second-period goals. DAmigo gave Toronto a 2-1 lead 1:18 into the period on the power play, his second of the game. Gilroy scored 36 seconds later to make it 2-2. McFarland replied at 14:33 to give the Rampage its first lead of the game. That goal was the third allowed on 15 shots by MacIntyre, who was then replaced by Sparks. "Sometimes youre right and some times youre wrong," said Spott. "I just felt at that point, we needed to change something and unfortunately some times you have to pull your goaltender to shake up your hockey club." Holzer then tied it 3-3 at 17:36 for Toronto. DAmigo opened the scoring with his eighth of the season at 7:38 of the first before Shore tied it less than a minute later. "Kind of got things going in the first period, and started us off good with that goal. That kind of gave me the confidence to keep moving the puck," said DAmigo. "I was just moving my feet the whole game and that helped out a lot." Toronto continues its season-high 10-game homestand Friday against the Grand Rapids Griffins. ' ' '