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AAP
AAP
Sport
Jasper Bruce

Penrith's Sorensen rejects mentor tag

Scott Sorensen (l) is enjoying his time at Penrith and is inspired by the club's younger players. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

He's one of the older players on Penrith's NRL roster, but the mentor tag doesn't sit well with forward Scott Sorensen.

The ladder-leading Panthers have the youngest squad of any current top-eight side.

This weekend's match against the Warriors is set to be the first time a player in his 30s lines up for the reigning premiers in 2022, with Matt Eisenhuth turning 30 late last week.

Last year's Panthers were the youngest NRL squad to win the premiership since Brisbane in 2006, and at 29, Sorensen is the third-oldest member of that squad to have remained at the club this year.

But that doesn't mean the late-blooming Sorensen is handing out leadership advice.

"I don't really see myself as a mentor or anything like that," he told AAP.

"I just do my job for the team and take a bit of energy off the younger boys."

The Panthers are not short for wisdom, though, and according to Sorensen the guidance is coming from the younger hands at the club.

"I almost feel like I'm a younger bloke, still learning off all the younger boys," he said.

"Sometimes I forget my age being around this group because of their mindsets and mentalities. I forget they're only 21 or 22.

"The way they prepare and train, it keeps me sharp, it keeps me motivated. It keeps me pushing to be better."

Taking advice from the young players appears to be working.

Sorensen has averaged more run metres and more tackles this season than in any other previous campaign, mostly coming off the bench.

"I just try to bring energy and impact," Sorensen said of his role in Penrith's premiership defence.

"I try to keep it as simple as possible and do my homework and prepare the best I can."

Sorensen comes off contract at the end of next season and is free to negotiate with rival clubs from November 1.

His premiership teammates Stephen Crichton, Spencer Leniu, Brian To'o and Liam Martin are all in the same position but Sorensen will be making his position to the club clear.

"I'd absolutely love to stay at Penrith if that works out," he said.

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