August 16, 2017 5:38pm
COREY Norman’s hidden motivation to lead Parramatta to premiership glory is club legend Brett Kenny and his brave stepson.
The Eels star has made special visits to Kenny’s stepson Riley Hilditch, who is in The Children’s Hospital at Westmead.
Riley, 16, is confined to a wheelchair after shattering his C5 vertebrae in a creek accident at Chittaway Bay on the Central Coast this year.
“It just puts things into perspective,” Norman said.
Norman is also drawing motivation from Kenny, who starred in his blue-and-gold No. 6 jersey when Parramatta won four premierships in the 1980s.
Norman has met Kenny, who is having chemotherapy for lymphoma cancer, several times.
Brett Kenny, one of the Parramatta Eels' greatest players, is battling lymphoma cancer.“When we do the hospital visits, we pop in and see Riley,” said Norman, who will be central to Parramatta’s chances against the Gold Coast on Thursday night at ANZ Stadium.
“He is very upbeat for his situation, which is great.
“I guess he’s got really good support around him. I saw him again just the other week when we were doing a visit.
“You think you’re having a hard day at training. Especially when you’re living your dream, it’s not that bad. There are so many people out there like Riley who are struggling a lot more than you. It puts a smile on their faces and puts things into perspective for us.”
Kenny, 54, is Parramatta’s greatest five-eighth and Norman and the modern-day Eels are staunchly behind him in his cancer battle.
“He is fighting his own battle, very unfortunate,” Norman said.
“Like Riley, Brett has very good support. A very good wife (Suzanne) and family that will be by his side.”
Norman is too young to have seen Kenny play but knows his legendary reputation.
“He was a bit before my time but I know about his history here at the club,” Norman said. “It’s sad to see something like this happen to a Parramatta legend.
“He is massive. He was in the club’s golden era. It was very sad for Parra fans when they heard he got ill.
“The message from us and the fans is that we are definitely behind him. He seems like a strong character and he will be fighting it hard.”
Norman treasures wearing the No. 6 jersey that Kenny made famous alongside halves partner Peter Sterling in the glory years of 1981, ’82, ’83 and ’86.
“I have thought about that, definitely,” he said. “Not something I think about all the time but you know the history of the club where you’re at.
“I’ve been wearing the jersey here for a couple of years now and I’m loving it. There’s plenty of history behind it.”
Can Parramatta break their title drought for Kenny?
“We would want to do it for a lot of people, including ourselves,” Norman said. “We want to do our fans and supporters proud.
“We have always set our target on the GF. My form has been patchy. Each week I am trying to go out there and play better. Towards the back end of the season, you have to lift your
game.”
Suzanne has used Facebook to keep friends updated on the progress of Riley and Brett.
Last Thursday she posted about Brett: “The effects of chemo are catching up but he keeps soldiering on! His spirit is truly inspiring.”
Replies
If my favourite ever player Brett Kenny's situation cant lift them than nothing will. I don't find anything wrong with the timing of the story and am pleased that our history and past great players have struck a chord with Corey? Time for a big win boys!
The pass at 1.18 under a 5m rule not 10
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbcL8
Absolute Legend
Would be the best paid player in RL or RU if he was playing today
Get well Riley Get Well Brett
Talks cheap Normie. Get on with it.
Must have been deeply hidden last Friday night. LOLLLLLL
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