Exclusive pictures: Penrith’s Las Vegas hangover cure; Shark’s beautiful homecoming

It was an exhaustive two week trip for the NRL stars travelling back from Las Vegas, so long that Will Kennedy’s number one fan was waiting at the airport gate to see her favourite player. EXCLUSIVE PICTURES.

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It was a long two week trip for the NRL stars travelling back from Las Vegas, so long that Will Kennedy’s number one fan was waiting at the airport gate to see her favourite player.

Meet Rose Kennedy, daughter of the Sharks fullback Will, who spent her Monday morning camped for close to an hour with a poster waiting for her Dad to touch back down in Sydney.

Despite the tough loss which saw his Sharks go down 28-22 to the Panthers, Kennedy was unable to hide his excitement when reuniting with his daughter.

“It’s nice to come back home and see my family, it’s been a long time but it’s good to be home,” Kennedy said.

“It was a hard one not getting the win, but coming home to family is probably important as well, as much as footy.”

Will Kennedy with his family. Picture: Jeremy Piper

While missing his family, Kennedy couldn’t deny the enjoyment of the NRL’s Vegas experiment.

Loving every minute while exploring Sin City.

“It was a great experience, I enjoyed every minute of it, you don’t get to go away with your mates as much,” he said.

Will was met by fiancee Grace and his little daughter, before returning home for the first time in almost a fortnight.

PENRITH’S VEGAS HANGOVER CURE

Premiership heavyweights Penrith have touched down back in Sydney after kicking off their season with a win over the Sharks.

It was all eyes on Nathan Cleary as he strolled through the arrivals section at Sydney International Airport along with his teammates and dad Ivan.

Speaking on the Panthers impressive season opener, Ivan claimed the ‘Vegas comedown’ could take a toll on his players, but the side feels they are experienced enough to deal with it.

“I think it probably will,” Cleary said.

“I feel like our trip to Manchester last year was probably good practice, that certainly had a feel of a comedown after that.”

Nathan Cleary touches down with his teammates. Picture: Jeremy Piper

Panthers coach Ivan Cleary. Picture: Jeremy Piper

Giving his players a few days off to recover, Cleary plans on using his week off to prepare for the rest of a gruelling season.

However, the four-time premiership winning coach confirmed a few of the travelling squad will line up for the Panthers NSW Cup side this week.

“A few of the boys that went on the trip will be playing this weekend,” he said.

“The wheels get left moving pretty quickly.”

Originally published as Exclusive pictures: Penrith’s Las Vegas hangover cure; Shark’s beautiful homecoming