The road to 100 first grade games has been a long and bumpy one for Scott Sorenson, but when he runs out at BlueBet Stadium against the Cronulla Sharks on Saturday night, it will be the culmination in a tale of a never-give-up attitude.
Not that he didn’t come close.
After debuting with the Sharks in 2014, Sorenson bounced between Cronulla, South Sydney and Canberra for the next several years, never able to maintain a regular first grade spot as he chalked up 39 games across seven seasons.
Without a team for 2021, Sorenson admitted he was close to leaving the game behind.
“I came pretty close [to retiring],” he said.
“Nothing was really in concrete and I also had conversations to go over to England.
“I had just had my first-born then and I thought I had to put my family first and provide.
Scotty's road to 100 NRL games
“If that meant that chasing the dream was no more, then so be it. I was working in some construction at the time and thought ‘you’ve got to be realistic and put your family first.’”
That was when the Panthers came knocking.
Sorenson joined the club late in the 2021 pre-season and spent the opening eight rounds toiling away in the New South Wales Cup before getting his chance in the top grade in round 9, coincidentally against the Sharks.
Since then, he’s played 60 of a possible 65 first grade games, as well as winning two premierships and representing New Zealand at the World Cup.
The Sharks are dangerous, full stop: Cleary
Sorenson was quick to credit coach Ivan Cleary for the success that not only he has had, but the club in general.
“He’s a pretty special bloke,” Sorenson said of Cleary.
“It’s so incredible how good the culture he’s built here is, the way we’re playing and the success we’ve had.
“As a person, he cares so much and life on the field and off the field is going really well and I feel like it’s because of him as well.
“Even just little things off the field, he cares about the families and making sure they’re included. For players, knowing that your partner and kids feel so welcome and comfortable is wonderful.
“I feel like the family value he has is the best and even when we were taken up to the Sunshine Coast [in 2021], he just loved having us all together.
“To me, having a coach that cared so much, it meant the world and made that transition very easy. I know my partner and probably a few others felt a little bit out of their comfort zone, but he was reassuring and made them feel so calm and welcome and included.
It's very special to play 100 NRL games: Sorensen
“I feel like it went a long way to having success at the end of the year.”
Having also recently put pen to paper on a three-year contract extension, Sorenson was also full of praise for the club as they hunt for a third-successive premiership.
“I was very, very fortunate to be given an opportunity here at Penrith and have absolutely loved it ever since. I’m extremely grateful.
“It’s pretty crazy. I can’t really put it into words to be honest.
“It’s pretty special to be part of this club.”
