Scott Sorensen has been backed to become the Perth Bears’ inaugural captain when they join the competition next year, with the Panthers veteran and his teammates reliving the emotional speech he gave to tell them that he was leaving.
The four-time premiership winner has been enormous for Penrith since he joined them in 2021, but he’ll head west next season on a two-year deal where he’ll be one of their most important leaders in the pack.
Sorensen, 33, is a club favourite at the Panthers which is why things got emotional when he told his teammates that this would be his last season with them.
“Absolutely (there were tears). I’m not ashamed of that at all,” he said ahead of the double-header in Perth this weekend.
“It was tough. Everyone in this organisation knows how much I love this place. So I guess that’s why it hit me so hard to be saying that I’m leaving.
“But in saying all that, I’ve been given an incredible opportunity to join the Bears and I’m very excited about that, as I said at the time
“I’m absolutely so grateful and love my journey here, and I continue to enjoy my journey here. So it was very difficult and very emotional, but I’ve still got a few games yet, so I’m going to enjoy those.”
Sorensen had been thinking about the move since Christmas, and said his wife’s family living over there had played a key role in his decision.
The Bears continue to build their squad ahead of their first season, with Sorensen the ideal candidate to lead them next year just like the experienced Jesse Bromwich did when the Dolphins entered the competition.
“It was very emotional for me (when he told us he was leaving),” Panthers centre Paul Alamoti said.
“When I first came into the NRL squad, he was the leader among the left edge and I slotted into that position (outside him) and he pushed me to my limits.
“I remember when he broke the news to the squad as a whole, I did get touched by it because his influence on my career has been immense.
“I have no doubt he’d be a great captain. He has so much passion and he’s a true competitor.”
Regardless of who leads them next year, the Bears will face the same question that all expansion sides have – have they got the talent to be competitive from the outset?
“I’m not going to shy away from that,” Sorensen said, with Perth yet to sign a true marquee man.
“We know it’s a massive challenge going into the unknown, which I understand. But I suppose in a way, I went into the unknown coming here at Penrith in 2021.
“So I didn’t know what was going to happen, and that was exciting, that was motivating. I guess it’s the same thing going to the Perth Bears.
“Being given an opportunity and going into the unknown a little bit, that’s exciting and that’s something I’m looking forward to.”
