Penrith will celebrate Women in League Round in a big way on Sunday afternoon, highlighted by a guard of honour with Panthers staff as well as both teams walking out with female junior rugby league players.
One Panther who is a massive supporter of the NRL’s Women in League Round is three-time premiership-winning backrower Scott Sorensen.
The 31-year-old said women have had an “unbelievable impact” on his career and they deserve to be celebrated.
“Firstly, my wife has been there since the very start, since my debut,” Sorensen told the Weekender.
“She’s my absolute rock and my biggest supporter. I don’t have enough words to praise her – what she goes through and obviously looking after my two beautiful children as well.”
Another important woman in Sorensen’s life is his sister Marissa, who is the wife of Cowboys halfback Chad Townsend.
“My sister is a big supporter of mine and always grew up around rugby league,” Sorensen said.
“This is such a special week and it’s really nice that we acknowledge all the women, not just in the NRL but grassroots as well.
“I see when I go to my son’s football games that they’re in the kiosk, they’re running around, they’re helping. They are everywhere and anywhere.
“It’s a special weekend and a really important week to acknowledge women in league.”
Coinciding with Women in League Round and Penrith’s upcoming match against the Newcastle Knights on Sunday is the 100th NRL game of hooker Mitch Kenny. Years ago Sorensen and Kenny used to car pool to Panthers training together when they both resided in the Shire.
Sorensen said Kenny is a “team-first” type of player whose leadership has grown in spades.
“He’s just that character where it’s not all about him, he’s always team-first,” Sorensen said.
“He took his time and was very patient behind Api (Koroisau).
“He’s grown and grown and everyone sees that in his footy with the way he’s maturing away from the field as well.
“His leadership has gone to another level and that was evident during the recent Origin period. You need a few boys to lean on and he did an outstanding job.
“He’s growing in spades and I’m very happy for him. Hopefully we can get a 100-game win for him.”
While Penrith is sitting comfortably in the top two, the same can’t be said for the Knights who are currently placed in 11th after a rollercoaster year.
Sorensen said a win on Sunday at BlueBet Stadium is vital for both teams.
“You see how close the ladder is? You’re either fighting to get into the eight or fighting to stay in the eight,” he said.
“I’m sure the Knights will be coming down to put on a strong performance. We know what they can do, we had them earlier this year and you can’t take them lightly.
“Their number one (Kalyn Ponga) is back and you have to respect them.”
Nathan Taylor
Nathan Taylor is the Weekender's Deputy Editor and Senior Sports Writer. He also compiles the weekly Chatter on the Box TV column. Nathan is an award-winning journalist, who has worked at the Weekender for a decade.