Written by Oliver Kellner-Dunk
Between 1980 and 1993 Brett Kenny would dominate the Rugby League scene at both club and International level and is deserving of the title “Immortal”.
Throughout an illustrious club career, Kenny would win four premierships with his beloved Parramatta Eels in 1981, 1982, 1983 and 1986.
He’d score a double in each of the first three Grand Finals mentioned above, a feat that to this day has not been repeated, with him taking home man of the match honours in 1982 and 1983.
He held the Parramatta club record for the most first grade games (265) from 1993 till 2010 when Nathan Hindmarsh passed his total, and also held the record for most tries for the club (110), which was only surpassed by Luke Burt during the 2011 NRL season.
In 1985, the Wigan Warriors would defeat Hull FC 28-24 in the Challenge Cup final in what is arguably the most famous Cup Final in history.
Kenny would represent Wigan on the day and take home the Lance Todd Trophy for man of the match.
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At representative level, the five-eighth would play State of Origin for New South Wales 17 times and was apart of their first series win in 1985.
The former Eel would don the green and gold of Australia on 17 occasions, which included two Kangaroos tours in 1982 and 1986.
His other individual honours include the 1985 Golden Boot Award, the 1986 Dally M Representative Player of the Year Award. In 2000, he was awarded the Australian Sports Medal for his contribution to Australia’s international standing in rugby league and was named in the NRL’s Team of the 80’s in 2004. He was also inducted into the National Rugby League Hall of Fame in 2008.
Hard to say Brett Kenny didn’t have an “Immortal” worthy career.
Replies
Definitely, Kenny, Sterlo & Ray Price would have to be very close to being accepted into the Immortal class. All three along with the Crow and Eric Grothe snr are hall of famers - the first requirement before a player can be considered as an immortal.
I think all three have done more than Darren Lockyer who is heavily considered to become the next immortal.
Totally agree chief. It would be an absolute joke if locker was to named an immortal and these 3, particularly Kenny, aren't.
You reckon ???
Kenny ... 265 games, 17 Origins, 17 Internationals, 110 tries, 4 premierships,
Lockyer ... 355 games, 36 Origins, 59 Internationals, 122 tries, 341 goals, 1195 career points, 4 premierships, Broncos, Qld & Aust captain
I mean I'm as big a fan of Brett Kenny as anybody, but to suggest he's done more to be deserving of Immortal status than Darren Lockyer just doesn't stack up.
I disagree Brett, regardless of the stats you present in support of Lockyer.
Players in the modern era play more games as rehabilitation and injury welfare has improved. Doesn't mean that Lockyer was better.
I agree, but Kenny being better wasn't your argument, your argument was that Kenny achieved more, that's patently not true.
On top of that, you could just as easily argue, and correctly I might add, that Lockyer played in a more consistently competitive period. Kenny played in the pre salary cap era, the difference between the best & worst opponents was greater than Lockyer's era, at least in my opinion.
Kenny played all his footy under the 5 mtr rule, imagine him with the space provided by the 10 mtr rule, scary.
Great point!
Yes, but he also played the game at a time when it was much slower and defensive systems were far less well drilled.
We can go back and forth like this till we're blue in the face, it only illustrates the folly of trying to compare different generations. But one thing that doesn't lie is the number of games they played in their respective careers at all 3 levels. Lockyer clearly achieved more than Kenny.
It's not really open for debate.
Boo you brett you Kenny hater.
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