Parramatta’s bond from the 1980s will help Brett Kenny push through his cancer battle

PETER Wynn says his old Parramatta teammate Brett Kenny’s physical and mental toughness will help him defeat cancer.

Peter Wynn backs his old Parramatta teammate Brett Kenny (inset) to beat cancer.

I WAS shocked and saddened when I heard my good mate Brett Kenny had been diagnosed with cancer.

I’m currently on holidays in the Greek Islands and I didn’t know about Bert’s situation until I got a phone call from an old Parramatta supporter.

It hit me really hard, so I got straight on the phone to Crow (Mick Cronin) to find out more details.

Mick had only found out himself, so it is fresh for everyone.

Brett is highly respected by the players from the Parramatta teams in the 1980s, so everyone will rally behind him and do whatever we can to help.

We went through a really good period together and nothing is going to change.

The 1983 premiership winning Eels: Back row (L-R) Geoff Bugden, Peter Wynn, Paul Mares, Eric Grothe, Stan Jurd. Middle row (L-R) Mick Souter, David Liddiard, Steve Sharp, Ray Price, Michael Cronin, Brett Kenny, Steve Ella, Alf Richards. Front row (L-R) Denis Fitzgerald, Paul Taylor, Jack Gibson, Steve Edge, Ron Massey, Peter Sterling, Arthur Drew.

We all go away to the Gold Coast every year for a reunion to catch-up and Brett is always there.

The backline in particular — Steve Ella, Eric Grothe, they are all very close.

They came through the Parramatta juniors together and all arrived in first grade within a year or two of each other.

They’ve kept those friendships going, which you have got to admire. I have no doubt the likes of Ella and Grothe will be the first blokes on the phone to Brett offering to help.

I think that says a lot about the bond the Parra players from the 80s have built up over the years.

Parramatta legend Brett Kenny.

I remember Ray Price did it tough there for a while in the late 80s, so we put on a few dinners for him to help out. I also remember when Mick (Cronin) hurt his eye in 1986 and he was out for about six months and everybody gave Crow really good support.

It will be the same for Brett.

He has had a tough time with his young stepson’s vertebrae injury and now his cancer on top of it.

I actually spoke with Brett prior to a function for his stepson last week.

I donated a few things for the function and he came into my shop in Church Street to pick them up.

We had a good yarn, but he didn’t say anything about his cancer.

He was obviously so focused on having a good night for his stepson.

You’ve got to give Brett credit for that. He knew about his cancer, but he hasn’t made a big scene until after his step son’s function.

That says a lot about Brett’s character.

Peter Wynn backs his old Parramatta teammate Brett Kenny (inset) to beat cancer.

He was the same as a player. He always put the team first. He was a brilliant individual and there weren’t many things he couldn’t do, but he was never selfish.

And in the tough situations, Brett was always there.

I remember the 1983 grand final and Manly were surging back, until Brett took a couple of crucial bombs to change the game. He was always in the right position.

Brett was physically and mentally tough as a footballer and I’m sure he will be the same in these circumstances with the cancer.

I have no doubt he’ll push through and fight.

Originally published as Parramatta’s bond from the 1980s will help Brett Kenny push through his cancer battle