NRL 2021: Scott Sorenson, Mitch Kenny sign fresh deals with Panthers
The Panthers have continued their retention of their current roster by re-signing two key contributors while the Broncos call off their pursuit of star hooker by rewarding the incumbent.
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The Panthers are working hard to keep their premiership-window open by locking down two key figures on their roster.
Penrith are poised to announce the re-signing no-nonsense forward Scott Sorensen, while hooker Mitch Kenny has also been retained.
Meanwhile, Brisbane football boss Ben Ikin has closed the door on Raiders Test star Josh Hodgson defecting to the Broncos in the wake of hooker Jake Turpin securing his future at Red Hill.
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The Broncos have continued their aggressive recruitment-and-retention drive with tough-as-nails rake Turpin activating a 12-month option in his favour in the lead-up to Sunday’s clash against the Tigers at Suncorp Stadium.
Turpin’s future at the Broncos has come under the microscope in recent months after Brisbane were first linked to Hodgson in May, six weeks before Ikin replaced Peter Nolan as head-of-football in late June.
Turpin was technically off-contract this season, but his decision to trigger a one-year option keeps him at the Broncos in 2022 and has direct salary-cap ramifications for any big-money pursuit of hooking rival Hodgson.
There is a view Hodgson, off-contract at the end of next season, would be a perfect fit for the Broncos with his creative nous, but Ikin emphatically moved to end months of speculation over the Raiders rake.
“Josh Hodgson will not be coming to the Broncos, he is not on the radar,” Ikin said.
“I don’t know what discussions were had prior to my arrival, but Josh is not a consideration for the Broncos.”
Prior to Ikin’s arrival, it is understood the Broncos had genuine interest in Hodgson.
Out at Penrith, Sorensen is set to be rewarded for his work-ethic and contribution by signing a new two-year deal while Kenny has extended his future at Penrith for another season.
Sorensen had fielded interest from the Wests Tigers while Kenny was considered by Canterbury.
“I’m really stoked to be spending another year here at Panthers,” Kenny said.
“I think it’s clear this club is the best place for me to keep developing as a person and a footballer.
“I had to consider all my options but ultimately I couldn’t leave a club that is going to help me get the best out of myself.”
Sorensen, 28, has proven valuable for the Panthers since arriving from Cronulla at the beginning of this season.
Sorensen - the nephew of former Kiwi internationals Dane and Kurt - has been named to face the Warriors on Sunday.
Sorensen’s contract extension continues the Panthers stability in their roster with big guns James Fisher-Harris, Jarome Luai, Isaah Yeo and Stephen Crichton all agreeing to new deals this year.
PROOF MALIGNED BRONCOS SYSTEM ISN’T BROKEN
Maroons great Jason Hetherington has revealed how seven clubs, including his beloved Canterbury Bulldogs, were in the hunt for his son Kobe’s signature.
Brisbane’s recruitment and retention record has taken a beating in the past 18 months after losing promising talents like David Fifita and Reece Walsh.
But the Broncos scored a victory after fending off their rivals to secure a player who is now spearheading Brisbane’s defensive resolve.
Fresh from inking a two-year extension at the Broncos, Hetherington has been named in the famous Brisbane No. 13 jersey for the first time this year ahead of Sunday’s clash with the Wests Tigers at Suncorp Stadium.
One of the most in-demand youngsters in the game, Hetherington has quickly made a name for himself since making his NRL debut in round 11.
The 22-year-old has six tackle busts, a try and 103 tackles in just six NRL games, catapulting into coach Kevin Walters’ plans for the future.
Despite playing 118 games for the Bulldogs during the 1990s, Hetherington Sr admitted he had no influence over his son’s decision to remain a Bronco – even when Canterbury came knocking earlier this year.
“The decision was all his,” Hetherington said.
“We spoke to about seven clubs and it was a big decision.
“There were a few little things that factored into that.
“He’s been there (at Red Hill) since he’s come straight out of school when Wayne (Bennett) signed him up for a couple of years.
“He’s been waiting for this opportunity to come along and he’s had to work hard to develop himself and grow.
“It’s just great that the Broncos stuck by him.”
Renowned for his bruising tackles and tough-as-nails playing style, one would think growing up with Hetherington as a dad would offer a wealth of knowledge into the NRL.
Apparently not.
“It came to a point where I was just dad,” Hetherington laughed.
“My boys were doing a bit of tackling practice on the back lawn one day when I tried to help out.
“They told me ‘no, you don’t do it like that. The PE teacher said we have to do it like this’.
“So I thought I’m only ‘dad’ for the moment and only had to worry about taking them to the footy and sitting back with a pie and a can of Coke.”
Kobe Hetherington’s engine room teammate at Brisbane, Rhys Kennedy, praised his toughness ahead of Sunday’s clash with the Tigers.
“From the get-go, since he’s been here, he’s one of those kids who are just tough,” Kennedy said.
“To be honest, you just want to defend next to those guys because you know they always put in the hard work and do those little things.
“Defensively, he works really hard and they’re the players that we need.”
Brisbane showed a glimpse into their winning potential last time they played, when they defeated the Sharks 26-18 in an entertaining Sunday afternoon match.
Hetherington senior said he was confident his son and the rest of the young Broncos talent coming through can turn things around at the club.
“They can certainly turn things around,” he said.
“There’s been some big changes there in a short period of time with a lot of senior players going.
“It’s a tough gig trying to learn the NRL trade.
“They’re all learning and each game they play, they’ll get stronger and better.”
Croft’s admission before Reynolds Broncos arrival
Broncos halfback Brodie Croft has dismissed concerns surrounding his future at the club as Brisbane prepare to welcome Adam Reynolds next season.
Both Reynolds and Kotoni Staggs are expected to get first crack at the starting halves positions for the 2022 season, while recent re-signing and fellow playmaker Tyson Gamble has vowed to make a play at the No. 6 jersey.
With his contract running out at the end of the 2022 season, Croft said he was just focusing on the year ahead.
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“I can only control what I can control,” Croft said.
“That’s how I see it.
“We’ve only got eight or so games left in the season so that’s what I’m looking forward to.
“I’m in the first grade squad so I’m looking forward to the West Tigers game and keep building from there.
“We’ll see what happens from there because I can only control what I can control and hopefully that’s playing good footy.”
Croft has had a tumultuous start to the 2021 season and has been forced into three different positions in just his eight games this year.
The 23-year-old began the year as first-choice halfback, only to be relegated to the bench in Round 4 in favour of former teammate Tom Dearden.
He then injured his knee after being dropped to the Intrust Super Cup in Round 8 before making his NRL return last Sunday for Brisbane’s 26-18 win over Cronulla.
The Dalby product admitted it had been a difficult start to the year but was back to feeling his best.
“It’s certainly been a tough year on and off the field but it’s good to be back now,” he said.
“I’m in a good headspace as well and feeling really good – body is feeling really good and mentally feeling really good.
“I’m eager to play some more footy and hopefully can continue some good form.”
It comes as Brisbane and south east Queensland become the epicentre of the rugby league world, with all New South Wales teams, as well as the Raiders and Warriors, forced to set up camp in the Sunshine State amid Covid concerns.
Croft welcomed the move to be able to play at least the next month of football in his home state.
“We won’t have to fly in, fly out from Sydney which was a bit tough last year,” he said.
“There’s nothing better than playing in front of our home fans at Suncorp.
“It’s going to be good playing more games there.
“I’m not going to complain about that, that’s for sure.
“I’m just glad the competition can keep going forward and very thankful that the Sydney teams are coming up here and sacrificing it for the game.”
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