Penrith District Rugby League: Records tumble as St Clair Comet reaches 400

He’s long been the face of local Penrith footy, and as Robert Henderson laces up for a club record 400 games for St Clair, it’s time to hear about the man behind the stats. FULL STORY.

Robert Henderson is gearing up for game 400 with St Clair Comets. Picture Warren Gannon Photography

In an incredible journey, St Clair veteran Robert Henderson is set to crash through the 400-game barrier for the Comets this weekend.

Since lacing up the boots as a six-year-old back in 1996, apart from a two-year glitch, the elusive backline star has been on the club’s books for the majority of its 41 seasons.

With more than 200 senior grade games, the stalwart has showed no signs of slowing down since posting a club record 366 matches in 2023.

Now 36, we caught up with the Comets favourite to reflect on the highs and lows before his milestone appearance on Saturday.

“When I hit 300 I didn’t think that I’d make 400,” said Henderson, whose Comets - coached by Jason Pettit-Young - currently sit among the contenders in the local Penrith A-grade competition.

“I just kept playing because I love the game. But over the last couple of years I began to think I could probably get there.”

In a league full of big boppers, Henderson’s longevity is all the more impressive given his relatively compact stature.

“I have always been one of the smaller players all the way through,” he said. “But I got used to it over time, and just tried to stay away from the big boys and get to the space between defenders rather than running into them.”

If not for a stint chasing higher honours in his teenage years, the 400 barrier would already be in the rear-view mirror.

“I played two years in the Balmain district for Holy Cross when I was in the junior reps for Balmain,” he said. “But as soon as that was over I came straight back to St Clair.”

In a career spanning 29 seasons, the only other test of his loyalty came after 2020 when the club struggled for numbers following the pandemic. Part of the rebuild, he’s witnessed the club go from strength to strength, including a rapid rise in female participation.

Underpinned by a strong junior system, “Hendo” has been around long enough to witness the rise and departure of multiple Penrith premiership winner Stephen Crichton, and he counts the 2016 A-grade title among his favourite memories.

“It had been a long time since the club had fielded a competitive team, so winning that title with a few of the guys I grew up playing with was great,” he explained.

“We didn’t lose a game the year before until we got to the grand final, so there was a fair bit of motivation. There were some tough times throughout that year with a couple of people close to the side passing away.

Although unable to shed any light on a try tally—likely to exceed 200—the loyal Comet quickly rattled off a handful of memorable teammates.

RobertHenderson takes on the Windsor defence in 2024. Picture Warren Gannon Photography

“Tinirau Arona came back last year after kicking on at the higher levels,” Henderson said.

“We grew up playing in the same team from u12s-16s until he went off and played NRL and overseas. It’s good having a player like him come back to help the club.

“Then there’s guys like Bobby Bright and Brett Law. When I first came into the top grade, Bobby was the older head and Lawsy was one of the better halfbacks running around. Both coached the team too, and were around throughout the premiership years.

“Looking back, I came into first grade with Tyson Lokeni and James Stonestreet (now at Colyton Colts). We weren’t going very well, but we all stuck around and got to win some titles.”

Seemingly a Comet for life, if someone is to rundown his record, it could well be his own son, Carter.

“I’ve been coaching his team for three seasons, they are in under-7s now,” he said.

“Carter is one of the smaller kids, similar to what I was growing up, and he just loves it.”