To’o the hooker, Luai the halfback and Kenny the five-eighth: How Penrith’s three-peat stars were discovered

Jim Jones has watched more than 6000 games across western Sydney, identifying a collection of diamonds that would transform an entire community. Here’s how Penrith’s grand final heroes were discovered.

Jim Jones’s first major signing for Penrith was Craig Gower, the 2003 premiership-winning halfback.

“I signed him on a pretty big deal at the time,’’ Jones said.

“And they (Penrith management) said, ‘why?’ I said, ‘because he’s going to play first grade’.’’

Jones’s talent spotting hasn’t been questioned ever again, responsible for a production line of Penrith stars including Stephen Crichton, Brian To’o and Dylan Edwards.

This is the story of how Penrith’s starting 13 in Sunday’s grand final-winning team were discovered.

1. DYLAN EDWARDS

“I always get sent footage and tips from people about players, so we brought him down as a 17-year-old from Dorrigo,’’ Jones said.

“He came down for an SG Ball trial as a five-eighth. He was all right. I told him to head home to finish his education. That’s no different to what we’ve done with the likes of Matt Burton and Charlie Staines.

“It’s important they grow up at home in a family environment and finish their schooling.

“When Dyl came back the following year, he physically destroyed them. He did a beep test and nearly blew the thing up. Everyone else was kneeling over vomiting and Dyl was still running and beating the beep.

“He’s a terrific person and player. He’d be in my Origin side.’’

Former Bellinger Valley-Dorrigo Magpie and Penrith Panthers Clive Churchill Medallist Dylan Edwards.

2. SUNIA TURUVA

“A story to cheer for after his family’s house burnt down three years ago and then sadly his mother passed away last year. He’s done it really tough.

“We found him progressing through the grades with St Mary’s and we were able to keep him last year despite some interest from the Dolphins and he’s just kept improving after taking over the wing when Taylan May got injured.’’

3. IZACK TAGO

“He originally played lock and backrow for our Harold Matthews side in 2018.

“He went to the centres one day and he’s kept on kicking on from there. That’s what Ivan and the rest of the staff do, once players like Izack get under their wing, they grow another leg.’’

4. STEPHEN CRICHTON

“We had to pick 40 for an SG Ball squad and we only had 37. One of my offsiders (Theo Kubica) who watches every game possible, told me about this tall bloke playing well over at St Clare.

“I said sure, throw him in, we need the numbers. But then I went and watched him play for the first time and I went ‘wow’. He didn’t take long once he was in our representative squad to show the talent he has become.’’

5. BRIAN TO’O

“He actually began as a hooker before moving out to the wing. Some people were telling me to overlook him because he was too small.

“You see the way he plays, he makes up for any suggestion he’s too small with that extraordinary desire.’’

Penrith Panthers player Brian To’o at his family home in Whalan. Picture: Dylan Robinson

6. JAROME LUAI

“Jarome was our half in Harold Matts (U16s) in 2013 and Nathan (Cleary) was on the bench. Jarome was our gun. The man. He just kept progressing, together with his crew of Critta (Crichton) and Brian (To’o).

“Jarome is a terrific example for the kids in Mt Druitt. He’s proof to the kids that they can do it also.’’

Jarome Luai kept Nathan Cleary on the bench. Picture: Renee McKay/Getty

7. NATHAN CLEARY

“Nathan’s been here since 2012 and back then, we had him pencilled into being a hooker. Ultimately, his dedication and handwork with the coaching staff and also by himself, has got him to where he is today.

“Just a wonderful person and footballer.”

Nathan Cleary was being groomed to play hooker. Picture: Steve Montgomery

8. MOSES LEOTA

“One of the best stories. He was almost let go because he kept turning up late to SG Ball training. But that was only because he was working all day as a brickie’s labourer.

“We found him another job detailing cars and that better work balance gave him the chance to train properly. He went ‘whoosh’ after that.”

9. MITCH KENNY

“I first saw him playing five-eighth in the under-16s for local junior side Brothers. Then he went over to Windsor Wolves to play and was just so solid and consistent. He is a true professional. He does everything spot on. On and off the field, he does all the little things. And just look at him, he’s a machine. He’s got there on wholehearted effort.’’

10. JAMES FISHER HARRIS

“He came over from New Zealand for our SG Ball training earning about $600 a month. It was ‘Gus’ (Phil Gould) who got him from New Zealand after watching him play right up north of Auckland. He’s developed into everything you could hope for in a man and a front-rower.”

11. SCOTT SORENSEN

“Cam Ciraldo (former Penrith assistant) got a tip that Scott was looking for a club. It all happened quickly from there. Ivan, who loves those hard workers with a great attitude, didn’t take long to sign him up. He’s proven to become a great buy, but such a good person to have at the club.’’

12. LIAM MARTIN

“A good story. He came down from West Wyalong (NSW Riverina) for work experience in engineering and as luck would have it, was staying at Royce Simmons’s brother’s (Hayden) house. Hayden had asked Liam if he wanted to pop over to the stadium for a look at where Penrith play?

“I just so happened to be there that day and he wasn’t a bad style of a kid, so I asked if he wanted to have a trial?

“He had a trial and away he went. I’ll never forget the night he was training and he was just flattening some of our big boys. No one would run at him.

“The commitment to travel there and back every week, we can show them the way, but it’s got to be within them to achieve it.

“Marto wanted it more than anyone.’’

Liam Martin in his junior days with the Temora Dragons. Picture: Temora Dragons Facebook

13. ISAAH YEO

“He was playing at a carnival for Combined Catholic College team (left) in Forbes in 2011.

“I was just there to watch and the organisers were down a selector so they asked me to help. At the end of the carnival, they asked me who I liked. I said that big, tall, centre over there.

“Isaah and his mother then came down to Penrith to tour the accommodation where we put the country boys up to stay. Lucky for us, Isaah’s mum gave it the seal of approval for her boy and he just improved from there.’’