Corey Norman reveals Parramatta Eels inspired by club legend Brett Kenny and his brave stepson

COREY Norman’s hidden motivation to lead Parramatta to premiership glory is club legend Brett Kenny and his brave stepson.

Eels five-eighth Corey Norman at Old Saleyards Reserve in Parramatta this week. Picture: Brett Costello

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.

Brett Kenny, one of the Parramatta Eels' greatest players, is battling lymphoma cancer.

“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.

Rugby league Brett Kenny at the bedside of his stepson Riley Hilditch, 16, who suffered severe spinal damage in an accident in February.

“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.

Corey Norman says he is drawing motivation from Eels’ legend Brett Kenny. Picture: Brett Costello

“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.

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“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.

Brett Kenny in action for the Eels.

“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.

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“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.

Corey Norman will be hoping to put the Eels back on the winning track this week.

“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.”

Eels starting halves since 1987

Peter Sterling has now been overtaken by Corey Norman as the player to play the most games in the halves for the Eels since 1987.

75 games: Corey Norman

72: Peter Sterling

71: Chris Sandow, Tim Smith

67: Jason Bell

59: Jeff Robson, Brett Kenny

56: John Morris

54: David Penna

51: Brett Finch

47: Daniel Mortimer

41: John Simon

40: Luke Kelly

38: Stu Galbraith

36: Michael Buettner

35: Adam Dykes

32: Daniel Wagon

30: Chris Lawler

26: Michael Witt

26: Jason Taylor

25: Ben Roberts, Michael Speechley

23: Kris Keating, Jason Smith, Mark Barnes

22: Ben Kusto

21: Feleti Mateo, Gary Freeman

19: Keith Blackett

17: Andrew McFadden

16: Clinton Gutherson, Casey McGuire, PJ Marsh, Tulsen Tollett

15: Stuart Kelly, Jim Dymock

14: Jarryd Hayne, Brett Scott

13: Jeremy Smith

12: Paul Taylor

11: Steve Ella

10: Mitchell Moses, Chris Thorman, Glen Liddiard

9: Kieran Foran

8: David Woods

7: Paul Green, Mark Laurie

6: Brad Drew

5: Brad Takairangi, Joseph Paulo, Michael Eden

4: Reni Maitua

3: Ken Edwards, Darrell Williams, Garen Casey, John Frare, Brian Jackson

2: Will Smith, Tom Humble, Blake Green, James Webster, Jamie Lyon, Troy Pezet, Craig Freer, Martin Seal

1: Api Pewhairangi, Luke Burt, Joel Reddy, Mark Riddell, Luke O’Dwyer, Lee Hopkins, Jamie Russo, Andrew Ryan, Rod Maybon, John Brewer, Vince Fawcett, Andrew Fitzhenry, Danny Mamo, Paul Kent

Info: Fox Sports Lab

Originally published as Corey Norman reveals Parramatta Eels inspired by club legend Brett Kenny and his brave stepson