OFFICIALLY HONOURED AT LAST: BRETT KENNY FINALLY GETS HIS MUCH-ANTICIPATED GLORY AS FANS GATHER IN MULTITUDES TO WITNESS THE HISTORIC REVELATION OF THE EELS’ GOAT — AMID IMMORTAL STATUE PLAN— DATE AND LOCATION AROUND PARRAMATTA EELS STADIUM.. revealed..
For decades, the people of Parramatta have waited for this moment — a day to immortalize not just a player, but a soul that defined an era of rugby league magic. On a golden afternoon in Sydney’s west, thousands of fans flooded into CommBank Stadium and the surrounding precincts to celebrate a man whose name has become synonymous with Eels greatness: Brett “Bert” Kenny.
After years of calls, campaigns, and countless fan petitions, Kenny has finally received his official honour — a recognition that many argue should have come long ago. And as the club confirmed plans for a permanent statue to be erected in his image outside the Parramatta Eels’ home ground, emotion ran deep across blue and gold hearts.
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A HERO FINALLY IMMORTALIZED
It was a scene befitting a rugby league king. The stands roared as the beloved No. 6 took the stage, greeted by former teammates, club legends, and three generations of fans who had come to pay their respects to a man whose artistry lit up the 1980s. Kenny, visibly emotional, paused to take it all in.
“I’m honestly lost for words,” he said, fighting back tears. “To look out and see this many people — it means the world. Parramatta has always been my home, and the Eels will always be my family. This is for all of you.”
The crowd erupted. Blue and gold scarves waved in unison, chants of “Bert! Bert! Bert!” echoing around the stadium. For those who grew up idolizing his footwork, flair, and fearless creativity, it was a full-circle moment.
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THE STATUE THAT TELLS A STORY
The statue plan, officially confirmed during the ceremony, will see Brett Kenny immortalized in bronze at the northwestern entrance of CommBank Stadium, overlooking the same turf where he inspired generations. Club officials revealed that the unveiling is scheduled for March 2026, ahead of Parramatta’s first home game of the season — a symbolic nod to the Eels’ golden era kickoff.
The sculpture will depict Kenny in his most iconic pose — sidestepping past defenders with the ball tucked under one arm, that familiar grin flashing as he slices through the line.
Eels CEO Jim Sarantinos described it as “a permanent reminder of not just his brilliance, but his spirit.”
“Brett wasn’t just a player — he was Parramatta’s heartbeat,” Sarantinos said. “He gave fans memories that will never fade. His legacy deserves to live right here, where it all happened.”
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FANS TURN OUT IN RECORD NUMBERS
From the moment gates opened, it was clear this wasn’t just another event — it was a pilgrimage. Fans old and young came adorned in vintage jerseys, carrying homemade banners and photographs of Kenny’s glory days.
Some travelled from interstate to witness what one supporter called “the greatest day in Eels history since the 1986 Grand Final.”
“I was ten years old when I saw him score those tries at the SCG,” said lifelong fan Mick Robertson. “Brett Kenny made me fall in love with rugby league. He wasn’t just a player — he was an experience.”
Merchandise stalls ran out of special-edition memorabilia within hours. And when the highlight reel played — showing Kenny’s unforgettable tries from the 1981, 1982, 1983, and 1986 Grand Finals — there wasn’t a dry eye in sight.
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A CAREER THAT DEFINED AN ERA
It’s easy to forget just how extraordinary Brett Kenny’s career was. Between 1980 and 1993, he played 265 first-grade games for Parramatta, winning four premierships and rewriting the club’s history.
He scored three tries in consecutive Grand Finals, an achievement unmatched in the modern era, and starred in 17 Origins for New South Wales along with 17 Tests for Australia. But what truly set him apart was his style — that effortless blend of elegance and instinct.
Kenny could glide, ghost, and gallop in ways that made defenders look frozen in time. His partnership with Peter Sterling became the stuff of legend — a symphony of skill that carried Parramatta to its most dominant decade.
Rugby league historian David Middleton once described Kenny as “the most naturally gifted five-eighth the game has ever seen,” while rival great Wally Lewis famously admitted, “He made the hard things look easy — that’s what made him dangerous.”
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THE PEOPLE’S CHAMPION
While his accolades sparkle, what’s most remarkable about Brett Kenny is the humility behind them. Long after retirement, Kenny remained approachable, cheerful, and deeply connected to the Eels community.
He has spent years mentoring young players, supporting local junior clubs, and engaging in community outreach — quietly giving back to the game that gave him everything.
“Brett always put people first,” said his former teammate Eric Grothe Sr. “He played like a magician but lived like a mate. Everyone who met him loved him.”
Indeed, that human connection is part of why fans fought so passionately for his statue. Kenny never sought fame or recognition — but those who witnessed his greatness made sure he would never be forgotten.
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THE NIGHT THAT FELT LIKE DESTINY
As the sun dipped behind the stadium, the ceremony closed with a special moment: a massive banner unfurled across the grandstand reading “OUR MAESTRO. OUR LEGEND. OUR BERT.”
Children in Eels jerseys lined the stage to hand Kenny flowers, and the crowd sang a heartfelt rendition of the team song. Then, fittingly, a recording of Ray Warren’s classic commentary from the 1986 Grand Final played through the speakers — “Kenny’s away! Brett Kenny goes in!”
The applause that followed was thunderous.
Kenny stood there, smiling, shaking his head in disbelief. “I just wanted to play footy,” he said softly into the microphone. “But you’ve all made me feel like a king.”
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LEGACY OF THE EELS’ GREATEST
The statue will soon join those of other NRL icons across Australia — a lasting reminder of a time when rugby league was as much art as sport. But for Parramatta, this monument carries something deeper.
It represents an identity, a heritage, and a bridge between generations. For every young fan learning what the Eels stand for, Brett Kenny’s bronze likeness will tell the story — that greatness comes not just from skill, but from humility, heart, and the joy of the game.
In a world where sporting heroes come and go, Kenny remains something rarer — a man who played for love, not legacy, and earned both.
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A DAY TO REMEMBER
As night fell and fans lingered around the stadium, one older supporter summed it up perfectly:
“Statues are for legends,” he said, gazing toward where Kenny’s monument will stand. “And there’s no bigger legend in Parramatta than Bert.”
Indeed, Brett Kenny — the Parramatta Maestro — is finally immortalized, not just in bronze, but in the hearts of every fan who ever cheered as he danced across the line.
After forty years, the Eels’ greatest has received his crown. And this time, it’s one he’ll wear forever.
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