Ivan Cleary confirms key Penrith Panther back for NRL Grand Final

A key Panther has proven his fitness in time to face the Storm, but the coach was staying coy over the man to miss out.

Penrith veteran Scott Sorensen must have feared the worst when he injured his hamstring in the final round of the NRL regular season.

With the Panthers zeroing in on a fourth straight NRL premiership, the soft tissue concern forced Sorensen to miss victories over the Roosters and Sharks to open the finals series.

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But Penrith coach Ivan Cleary uttered the words on Saturday the New Zealander must have been craving.

“He’ll be playing tomorrow,’’ Cleary confirmed of the 31-year-old backrower.

Sorensen has played 81 games for the Panthers since arriving from the Sharks in 2021, winning a premiership every year he has donned Penrith colours.

Either Matt Eisenhuth or Brad Schneider loom as the bad luck story, with one to make way for Sorensen, and Cleary wouldn’t announce that decision yet.

But he was clearly delighted to have his experienced weapon back.

Penrith coach Ivan Cleary confirmed the team news. Picture: Damian Shaw

Scott Sorensen is back for the Panthers. Picture: Damian Shaw

“Yeah it’s awesome,” he said. “Sorro’s been a big part of our team the last three years.

“He’s a real soldier in our team. He’s like an old man out there as well, a bit of experience and all-round good guy.

“Everyone was pretty bummed when he got injured a few weeks ago and it looked like that was the end of him this year and he was really devastated.

“For him to work so hard and get back and for him to be able to make a contribution tomorrow, it’s really good.’’

Penrith’s social media team was also happy with the news, posting to X “he’s in” along with a fire emoji and Sorensen pic.

Fans also reacted with delight to the news.

“You ripper,” one replied.

“This makes me SO happy,” wrote another.

“Yes, yes, yes. He’s our good luck charm,” added a third.

Fans are thrilled Sorensen (right) has a shot at another title. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

Matt Eisenhuth could be the unlucky Panther to miss out. Picture: NRL Imagery

Not only is Sorensen back in the team, he now has the opportunity to improve on grand final day 12 months ago, when he missed out on some of the Panthers’ celebrations.

As Penrith players celebrated in the middle of Accor Stadium after the 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.

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.

“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 (had) fingers crossed that they were in the car.

Sorensen wants to send Jarome Luai out with another Penrith premiership. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

“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.”

Sorensen was also desperate to recover from injury so he could try 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,” Sorensen 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.”

- with NewsWire

Originally published as Ivan Cleary confirms key Penrith Panther back for NRL Grand Final