Penrith youngster Liam Henry has credited the World Club Challenge for laying the foundation for a breakout season in the NRL.
The forward travelled to the United Kingdom an unheralded name with just three NRL games under his belt.
His selection, however, was an early sign of his place in coach Ivan Cleary's plans for the season and Henry went on to play in 23 matches this year.
The 23-year-old is now preparing for his first NRL grand final when his side takes on Melbourne on Sunday night, having developed into a crucial piece of the Panthers machine.
While Penrith fell to Wigan in the World Club Challenge, Henry said the opportunity to spend 10 days in camp with the squad was a pivotal moment in his career.
Wigan Warriors v Panthers
"It was an awesome experience," Henry told pan66.com. "We didn't get the result we wanted but it set up the season for us.
"We came back and knew we had a bit of work to do and were hungrier than ever to get back there.
"We wanted to start the year strong so after we didn't get the win we knew we had to come back and start winning some games."
Match: Storm v Panthers
Grand Final -
home Team
Storm
1st Position
away Team
Panthers
2nd Position
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
It hasn't been a smooth path to the NRL for the country boy from the central western town of Blayney.
Henry moved to Sydney as an 18-year-old in 2020 to play Jersey Flegg for the Panthers, only for the season to be cancelled after just one game.
The forward returned home for the rest of the year, running out for the Western Rams in the rejigged Presidents Cup.
The following season was only slightly better, Henry playing 15 rounds of Jersey Flegg before Sydney's Delta COVID outbreak and the competition was again abandoned.
The two years were tough to take for a teenager desperate to achieve his footballing dream but Henry said he never gave up hope.
Storm v Panthers: Grand Final
"It was difficult to miss out on a bit of footy but it's been good to have three years of consistent footy," he said. "I missed it during COVID but I'm really enjoying my footy now.
"It's something I always wanted to do and when I came up here it was special to be around the best club and the best players. I knew that's what I wanted to do so I put my head down and worked to get it done.
"Coming in here everyday, the boys I'm surrounded with make it a breeze and I absolutely love it. It's been a slow old journey but an enjoyable one and it feels like it's flown by now."
Henry finally had an opportunity to play in a full season in 2022 and made the most of it, helping Penrith claim the NSW Cup and receiving his first taste of NRL action.
He played in a further two games in 2023 before this year's breakout campaign.
The forward is averaging 89 running metres and 30 tackles a game, and has surpassed 100m in three of the past four matches in an impressive finish to the season.
Match Highlights: Panthers v Devils
His ability to make an impact off the bench hasn't gone unnoticed, with Henry able to build on the platform laid by starting props Moses Leota and James Fisher-Harris.
"The way he's attacked the whole season has been outstanding," co-captain Isaah Yeo said. "Liam's been given an opportunity from the start of the year, he's taken it with both hands and been tremendous for us."
Henry's promotion to the top squad came with plenty of pressure, the youngster tasked with maintaining impossibly high standards at the foot of the mountains.
Spencer Leniu's move to the Roosters left a major void while Jaeman Salmon's departure stretched the Panthers' depth coming into 2024.
Leota and Fisher-Harris have taken Henry under their wing and ensured he's thrived in a challenging environment.
Liam Henry Try
"I've been fans of them for a long time so to be out there running alongside them is very special," Henry said. "There's role models wherever you look, there's no one better to learn off.
"I idolise both Fish and Moses. Coming up through under 20s, they were players I tried to model my game off and take a few bits and pieces from their games and put into mine.
"Fish has given me pointers along the way. I probably annoy him at times but he's always happy to help me out. I'm going to miss him [when he departs] next year but I'm trying to soak it up as much as I can."
Having won a NSW Cup premiership with the Panthers and watched the last two NRL grand finals from the stands, Henry has been dreaming about this moment for years.
Now it's finally here, he's determined to apply the lessons he learnt in England all those months ago.
"It's something I dream of and think about most nights so it would be really special to win an NRL premiership," Henry adds.
