Scott Sorensen missed last year’s grand final celebrations to look for wife’s missing keys

Penrith players partied in the middle of Accor Stadium after last year’s grand final, but Scott Sorensen wasn’t there to enjoy the celebrations. He now explains why.

Scott Sorensen’s fitness remains a major concern for the Panthers just days out from the grand final, with the back-rower just hoping he can actually celebrate with his teammates this time around if they win after missing out 12 months ago.

As Penrith players celebrated in the middle of Accor Stadium after last year’s epic grand final win over Brisbane, Sorensen was in the stands madly searching for his wife’s car keys, with a few journalists helping out to no avail.

You’d usually trade a set of keys for a premiership ring, but the family man was desperate to help locate the little chain that was nowhere to be found.

He walked back with his wife and kids to the carpark wondering if a locksmith could help him out in the middle of the night, but he needn’t have worried.

Scott Sorensen was able to celebrate the 2023 premiership on Monday after missing the aftermath of their epic win while looking for his wife’s missing keys. Picture: Jenny Evans/Getty Images

“She left them on the front seat of the car!” he revealed.

“I was running around trying to find the keys for her. The poor thing had the two kids in the sheds enjoying themselves, and she thought she lost her keys.

“So I went out and checked where she was sitting and I was fingers crossed that they were in the car.

“We got to the carpark, and here they are sitting in the front seat.

“The door was unlocked.

“Don’t remind my wife because she wants to forget that one.

“She’s done that a few times getting the kids out to the game and leaving the doors open, she’s left keys on top of the roof out here at Penrith. That’s just her, that’s the way she is.”

Sorensen and Jarome Luai have forged a wonderful combination on the left edge. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

Sorensen has been named on an extended bench and must prove his fitness as he continue to battle a hamstring strain that has kept him out of the entire finals series.

The two-time premiership winner desperately wants to play for a number of reasons, with Sorensen keen to send his left-edge buddy Jarome Luai out with another ring before he joins the Wests Tigers next year.

“He’s been one of the originals here for quite some time,” he said.

“As well as his playing ability, his leadership has gone through the roof in the last 12 months.

“I’ve been lucky enough to play outside him and I love the bloke on and off the field. I’ve been out for a few weeks this year, but I’ve been able to watch him grow and develop and take on more responsibility.

“It’s going to hurt when he leaves, but we’ve got one more week with him, so we’re not going to push him away that easily.”