Bert knew he couldn't keep two loves, ride two horses, simulaneously. His world of baseball and Rugby League couldn't co-exist forever. Fate ensured he choose the right path.
With the 14th Immortal to be announced soon, in August, Hall of Famer Brett "Bert" Kenny is in the running.
Greg "Brandy" Alexander, deputy Chairman on the Panthers' board, believes Bert should be the next immortal and he interviewed on SEN Radio recently (Fri, July 26th).
Kenny admitted his rise happened suddently.
"It all happened so quickly. In 1979, I was playing C-Grade for Guilford." Kenny told Brandy.
In 1980 a Jersey Flegg assistant called the then coach to remind him an unknown soon 18 year old skinny, blonde kid hadn't been overlooked for Jersey Flegg. The coach didn't realize it but wanted to take a punt on this talented kid. Mid-way through 1980 first-grade head coach John Peard had seen enough and picked him to debut.
And so began the meteoric rise began, no-one foresaw. Not even Bert. Kenny had never been in a grand final even as a kid, and only had a bit of Jersey Flegg to his name.
The rest is history. An Immortal in waiting. Four premierships. 265 matches (1980-93), 110 tries. A big match performer for Parramatta, Wigan, New South Wales or Australia.
A Natural.
Some believe some of the younger generation should be inducted as Immortals. The likes of Darren Lockyer, Cooper Cronk, Laurie Daley, Alfie Langer, Jonathan Thurston, Freddie Fittler, Cameron Smith, Billy Slater. Wally Lewis wants Alfie Langer as the next immortal.
Other such as Gus Gould who was on the juding panel onces believe Peter Sterling, Ron Coote and Brett Kenny - the older generation should be inducted first. That's his top-three list.
"I think Peter Sterling and Ron Coote would get a great thrill out of being recognized at this stage of their life for all that they did many, many years ago."
"And there are still people around my age that remember them. The kiddies don't remember."
"If we're looking at Immortals, names that forever will be remembered, Peter Sterling's name will forever be remembered. Ron Coote's name will be forever remembered by people who followed the game."
Gus also argued that if Peter Sterling was made an immortal it really tempts you to include Kenny: "Once you include one, it kind of makes you want to include the other."
"And you need to recognize them while people like me [and they] are still alive."
"There's no doubt they will be [alll listed above] Immortals, but why do we have to do it to them now?" Gus argued.
"[But] I think there are others that need to be recognized in chronological order".
"He [Cameron Smith] is going to be an immortal."
"Cameron Smith May well be the greatest player of all time. He may well be. I've got no argument with that whatsoever, and he will get his recognition. He will be an immortal. It doesn't matter is has to happen today ."
"It will happen in time. And he might appreciate it ... more later [when he's older]".
Kenny also gave us clues as to what made the Eels in the 80s special.
Three main ingredients. The right mix of youth and experience. Great coaching. And brotherhood.
Kenny notes the great mix of younger players and older experienced forwards "with a lot of good, young back rowers coming through. "Everyone always talks about the backline and how great the backline was. It was just a joy to be able to play alongside those guys."
"And you think life's easy...Just catch the ball and pass, and these guys [Cronin, Ella and Grother] will do the job," Kenny added.
"But it was also the coaching staff with Jack Gibson. I've always said he's probably the greatest coach I've ever played under."
"And we just enjoyed each other's company. And we spent a lot of time together. Not just on field or in training. But away from the football."
It was just like a team full of brothers. Older and younger brothers.
Brett Kenny talks to Greg Alexander on SEN, 27 July 2-24
"That's all we did. We played for each other every week. Week in, week out." Kenny concluded.
The game in the modern age of consumerism, me-worlds, and throw away culture, seems to have changed these days. Players and player agents are out for themselves more, no? The tribal connection to clubs and a brotherhood is weaker than it used to be in the Kenny days or is it?
Brandy was intrigued by what Tim Mannah said about the club "re-setting its culture".
"It will be interesting to see what Jason Ryles does with his staff and who he picks as his assistants and head of performance. But it's a really exciting opportunity for the club to really rebuild. And have a culture we can set again. I feel the last ten or eleven years we've really slipped away from Parramatta used to be. A lot of former players really feel passionate about the club, and what it was in the past. And it will be great to see it get back there. So, a new coach at the helm is a great opportunity for the club to get back to what it used to be," Mannah told Matt Rusell of SEN (9/7/20204) at the 5'10'' mark.
"Am I reading between the lines, thinking that Brad Arfhur [is implied]?" Brandy asked. Or is it personal for Mannah?
With the turmulteous state the Eels are in, sitting near the foot of the mountain in a dog fight for the spoon, fans can only hope the "New Era" will bring a little of that culture, brotherhood and unity from the past.
The appointment of Ryles and Hardies as the new major sponsor buys the club time. But the club as a whole, top to toe, has a lot of work to do. And realistically, it might take Ryles a few pre-seasons to change systems.
Here's also hoping Sterlo and Kenny are Immortals sooner rather than later. At least as some symbolic sign of respect to who they once were. To who we once were.
They are the reason I fell in love with the club 45 years ago.
Former Eels' greats at the 2019 opening of Commbank Stadium (then named Bankwest).
Current List of Thirteen Immortals
Clive Churchill (1981), Bob Fulton (1981), Reg Gasnier (1981), Johnny Raper (1981), Graeme Langlands (1999), Wally Lewis (1999), Arthur Beetson (2003), Andrew Johns (2012), Dally Messenger (2018), Dave Brown (2018) Frank Burge (2018), Norm Provan (2018) and Mal Meninga (2018).
Replies
Thanks for posting this HOE
even if it's reminiscing , it makes me feel good to know we have had good , strong , well -run , loyal times ( without a rap song in sight 🤔)
if the public had their say ( from every media or sport outlet I gave seen ) BERT is a shoe in ....as he should be , bloody sublime player
we deserve it this year too 🤔😆for this horror shit show
That's Carls. It probably should've started wtih "Once Upon a Time"...
But, I agree. It was great listening to Bert talk with Brandy about what we once were.
There's not much else to enjoy about the Eels & footy atm.
God only knows what awaits us...
I hope Bert gets it way over due
Great reading HOE, Brett Kenny and Sterlo deserve immortal status lets hope it happens sooner rather later - It's no secret Timmy doesn't rate BA
Fantastic Blog HOE. We sure need some good news. My absolute favourite sportsperson along the Lewis Hamilton. He was the greatest 80s NRL player.....If he becomes an immortal it will make up for a crap year.....I guess the favourite is Ron Coote but we will see . In amongst all the angst a nice blog......
Well written HOE.I thought you would have been to young to connect to the brotherhood feel of those days.Those times were a big part for me with my attachment to the eels. I am not sure if I have felt that type of connection with the Eels since those days. Today it feels like everything is disposable. Maybe a sign of the age we live in. Panthers probably look like they have a similar relationship thing happening with them. That though seems it could erode with Panthers players breaking things down by chasing money. The expense is that they may lose the special ties our guys had.I can understand many will see it differently . Maybe with time some players will look at their careers differently when they evaluate what they miss more. The spiritual connection in their careers with teammates or the material St George also a nice mateship connection with their playing history in the 60;s
I am still on my trip trying to make sense of today's world through an attachment with Carl Jung.. I am getting so much out of him. Life should have some meaning. I think a lot of us are lost in seeing what life is all about. Maybe Sluggs loss this week had an effect
https://youtu.be/L4MZOrZBvIs?si=830etCsDDUc-IIsQ
Great Line HOE
Three main ingredients. The right mix of youth and experience. Great coaching. And brotherhood.
something that is extremely lacking at present
We all have favourites and opinions, personally I do not believe that Graeme Langlands, Norm Provan and Mal Meninga deserve the accolade, obviously they were great players but to be an immortal you have to be a level above great.
Bobby Fulton once said that Ray Price would be the first picked in any team he ever coached. I have reservations about Sterling but Kenny and Price the greatest for Parra. Its a shame that Price does not get a lot of mention but I saw and respected Ron Coote who was regarded as the greatest lock ever after Raper, that said I saw both over a long period of time and whilst very different players, it is impossible to seperate them as second to Raper.
If ever I wanted a player to play for my life, i.e. go over the line with. I would pick Ray Price every time.
Frank Hyde always made Brian Clay, Reg Gasnier,Billy Smith Johnny Rapier,Norm Proven etc look great. 11 consecutive Premierships. Would never happen in this day and age The best players would be poached by other clubs.As they say money talks in this day and Age. Shopping players is what it is all about these days . Fans and clubs are all about buying and selling these days in all sports. Not sure how that is affecting sports and our way of life..Not much sentimentality with ownership.Everything including relationship are disposable.
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