Mitch Kenny is not always considered one of the glamour players of rugby league, but come Sunday night there is no doubt he could prove to be a game breaker.
The 26-year-old first played in an NRL Grand Final in 2022, still serving as an understudy to a departing Api Koroisau, before he was given the reigns at hooker in 2023.
As Kenny prepares for his third Grand Final, his opposite number nine, Harry Grant, is getting ready for his first.
Grant is often labelled as one of the best hookers in the game, but Kenny has faith that his own game is enough to get his side the win.
“I don’t try to be anyone else,” Kenny said.
“He’s one of, if not the best hooker in the comp, he can do things that I think no one else can but I wouldn’t go out and try to emulate him at all, I’ll just do my job.
“I know my role, it’s pretty clear here at the team and when I do that well it adds value, so I’ll just be trying to do that for us.”
The city of Penrith is alive with decorations and is right behind the team as they prepare to take their fourth Premiership, something Kenny said is a big motivator for the team.
“It’s massive for us,” Kenny said.
“We always talk about, here as a footy club a goal of ours is to be a source of community pride and I think because we are a little bit isolated out here and removed from the city that we feel like a community club.
“Walk the streets [and] people wear the jerseys, people decorate their house, it’s certainly a footy town and to have their support means the world to us so we are always trying to make them proud and having days like the open training session where they come out and you can see how proud they are of you is super special and it’s nice to connect with them.”
Preparation in Grand Final week is always going to be a little bit different from the usual week-to-week experience during the regular season, but Kenny said that embracing the difference helps to keep preparation on track.
“It is a bit different, and I think that is important to acknowledge,” Kenny said.
“If you try to ignore the fact that you’re playing a Grand Final and suppress the feelings and the stuff that comes with that I don’t think that will help but it’s important that while we are at training we are at training and we stay present and we aren’t looking too far ahead and just take things one drill, one training session, one day at a time.”
As for how Kenny thinks the game will go on Sunday, the Panthers will be bringing home the trophy.
“Penrith to win,” Kenny said.
“I’ll take it by one, I’ll take it by anything!”
Emily Chate
Emily Chate joined The Western Weekender in 2024, and covers local news - primarily courts and politics. A graduate of the University of Wollongong, Emily has contributed to The Daily Telegraph and worked as a freelance journalist.