Panthers Rookie of the Year contender Liam Henry has been a spectator at Accor Stadium for the last couple of NRL deciders, but on Sunday evening he’ll get to live out his childhood dream when he finally gets to hit the pitch and play in the match.
Instead of celebrating after the game with his triumphant teammates, the 23-year-old will now get to be a part of the action when Panthers coach Ivan Cleary calls his number on Sunday night.
Speaking with the Weekender on Tuesday, an excited Henry said it doesn’t get much better than reaching a Grand Final in your first full rookie season.
“Coming to pre-season training in November, the goal was to be here on Grand Final Day and to do that is pretty special,” he said.
“This week has a been a little crazy. I’m still pinching myself. I can’t get my head around it just yet but I’m just trying to take every day in, embrace it and try not to think too far ahead.
“I just want to enjoy the week, I’m really excited!”
Fuelling Henry’s excitement ahead of Sunday’s match against the Melbourne Storm is his loving family, who hail from Blayney in the state’s Central West.
Henry said scores of his nearest and dearest will be hitting the Great Western Highway this weekend bound for the ‘big smoke’.
“The whole family is excited! They all came to last week’s game against Cronulla and were stoked. They’ll be there on Sunday with bells on, I reckon,” he said.
“There will be a few of them coming down. You could probably fill a couple of mini buses, but nah they’ll just drive down separately and stay at our place, so it should be a good day.”
And while many of his teammates will be chasing history by winning four consecutive competitions, Henry will be chasing a slice of his own as he goes for his first.
“I’d be stoked to achieve that,” Henry said.
“It’s something you think about and something you dream about as a kid and now that we have a shot at it, it’s very special. As I said before, I’m trying not to think too much about the result, I’m just worrying about the week. But it’s definitely something I’m looking forward to.”
Standing in Penrith’s way of another NRL title is the mighty Melbourne Storm, who beat Penrith twice in the regular season.
The young forward said he’s hopeful he and the boys can get the job done when it really counts.
“I think the Storm have been the benchmark all year. They’re the number one side and the Minor Premiers,” he said.
“They are the team to beat, and they got us twice this year, but hopefully we’ll get them when it matters.”
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.