By Murray Wenzel
Almost 15 years after dragging his big brother Jesse to training in Melbourne, Kenny Bromwich was cooking him a celebration dinner ahead of his 300th NRL game.
The Dolphins skipper will notch the milestone against St George-Illawarra on Saturday, one he admits felt impossible to reach as a “late blooming” teenager well off the radar of clubs and managers.
Jesse Bromwich says he is grateful to the Redcliffe Dolphins “for the opportunity … to try something different and do something really special for a different place and community”.Credit:Getty
It was Kenny the Storm were keen on in 2008 with 19-year-old Jesse dragged along to training “just to watch”.
But Parramatta coach Brad Arthur, Melbourne’s under-20s coach at the time, urged him to put some boots on.
Kenny Bromwich (left) and his brother Jesse at the Storm. They are only the second brothers to both play 200 games at one NRL club.Credit:Melbourne Storm
He impressed, was selected to play in their final game of that campaign and was then named NYC prop of the year when the Storm won the title the next season.
The pair then forged brilliant NRL careers in Melbourne and have hit the ground running for the 3-1 Dolphins in the new club’s exhilarating debut.
“We got asked the question in pre-season, ‘What are you most proud of’,” Jesse Bromwich said on Wednesday.
“In rugby league, it was that I’ve been able to spend my whole career playing alongside my brother.
“He got me my start … I never had a club (chasing him), wasn’t 16 and signed to a manager.
“I didn’t get a look-in until I was about 19. Grateful to turn up at the right place at the right time and took it with two hands and ran as far as I could.”
Kenny “got the Weber (BBQ) out and bought some expensive steaks and said a couple of words” at a family dinner on Tuesday night that touched the Dolphins skipper.
“We don’t really do formal things like that, so it was really special,” the 33-year-old captain said.
“I’m very proud … it means a hell of a lot to myself and my family.
“I’m super grateful to Melbourne Storm for giving me a chance and helping me become the person I wanted to become.
“And to the Redcliffe Dolphins for the opportunity … to try something different and do something really special for a different place and community.”
Meanwhile, hooker Jeremy Marshall-King has extended his contract with the club for a further year, until 2025.
The New Zealand international will return from a two-week suspension this week, in a boost given his hot form in the opening fortnight.
