Opinion

Brett Kenny’s case for Immortal status

22 Sep 21, 6:01PM 0 Comments

Written by Oliver Kellner-Dunk

Photo by Getty Images

Between 1980 and 1993 Brett Kenny would dominate the Rugby League scene at both club and International level and is deserving of the title “Immortal”.

Kenny made his first grade debut for Parramatta coming off the bench during the 1980 season against South Sydney at Redfern Oval.

Throughout an illustrious club career, Kenny would win four premierships with his beloved Parramatta Eels in 1981, 1982, 1983 and 1986.

He’d score a double in each of the first three Grand Finals mentioned above, a feat that to this day has not been repeated, with him taking home man of the match honours in 1982 and 1983.

He held the Parramatta club record for the most first grade games (265) from 1993 till 2010 when Nathan Hindmarsh passed his total, and also held the record for most tries for the club (110), which was only surpassed by Luke Burt during the 2011 NRL season.

In 1985, the Wigan Warriors would defeat Hull FC 28-24 in the Challenge Cup final in what is arguably the most famous Cup Final in history.

He would represent Wigan that day and play against his Parramatta teammate Peter Sterling who lined up for Hull FC. Kenny would end up taking home the coveted Lance Todd Trophy for man of the match.

At representative level, the five-eighth would play State of Origin for New South Wales 17 times and was a part of their first series win in 1985, where they would defeat Queensland 2-1, sealing victory in Game II at the Sydney Cricket Ground in a match that ended up 21-14, with Kenny scoring a try.

The former Eel would don the green and gold of Australia on 17 occasions, which included two Kangaroos tours in 1982 and 1986.

His other individual honours include the 1985 Golden Boot Award, the 1986 Dally M Representative Player of the Year Award. In 2000, he was awarded the Australian Sports Medal for his contribution to Australia’s international standing in rugby league and was named in the NRL’s Team of the 80’s in 2004.

In 2008, Kenny was named in the list of Australia’s 100 Greatest Players (1908–2007) which was commissioned by the NRL and ARL to celebrate rugby league’s centenary year in Australia and was inducted into the National Rugby League Hall of Fame

Hard to say Brett Kenny didn’t have an “Immortal” worthy career.

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