Penrith hooker Mitch Kenny feels he's grown into his role as a starting NRL hooker this year and it's just as well, with Brisbane presenting the toughest test of his young career in the grand final.
Kenny came through the Panthers' pathways and played under-20s alongside Brian To'o and Liam Martin but needed to wait longer to become a lock for selection in the NRL side.
He was overlooked for the 2020 and 2021 grand finals but became a fixture of the 17 last season as Api Koroisau's deputy at dummy-half.
When Koroisau left for Wests Tigers this year, the Panthers gave Kenny - a 2022 premiership winner - the nod as starting hooker.
Alongside higher-profile members of the Panthers spine Nathan Cleary, Jarome Luai and Dylan Edwards, the 25-year-old has more than held his own.
In 2023, he has averaged 39 tackles per game at an efficiency of 90 per cent, proving a capable starter.
"I just sort of feel this was always going to happen if I could play footy, and just play minutes and string games together," Kenny told AAP.
"I don't think I've done anything miraculous, I've just fitted into the team combinations-wise."
Life as the Panthers' main No.9 has presented new responsibilities for Kenny, who had become accustomed to on-field cameos as the second-choice hooker.
"(Last year) I could just go out and run around like a headless chook for 20 minutes," Kenny said.
"This year I could probably do that but it might not be helping anyone because I've got to play 60 minutes after that.
"My role's different, but the way I'm playing and a lot of the things that I value and I'm trying to bring to the team are the same.
"I've had to take on more of a demanding role this year and it's one of those things you just grow into."
Kenny is gearing up for a second grand final appearance on Sunday, in which he'll push to help contain a rampant Brisbane middle forward unit that features Payne Haas, Tom Flegler and Pat Carrigan.
"They're a team that, when they have the momentum, look almost unstoppable," Kenny said.
"Trying to tackle well and be connected in defence so that they're not throwing the ball around at will, and getting those guys in position against a staggered line are really important things.
"That takes a lot of connection in our defensive line."
