He may have lost the Jersey Flegg grand final while playing for Penrith Panthers, but Bathurst product Adam Fearnley has relished the opportunities he’s had throughout the 2018 season.
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Panthers went down to the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in the decider 22-12, with Fearnley coming off the bench in jersey number 14.
Fearnley, who has represented the Western Rams at junior levels, the Bathurst Panthers at premier league level and even Bathurst High Campus in the Astley Cup, said the season has provided him with some valuable experience.
“It was pretty tough to lose the grand final but it was some good experience,” he said.
“It’s great to be playing with my mates.
“My priority now is to have a good season and work hard into next year. I’ve resigned with the under 20s in 2019.”
Fearnley’s Penrith side finished the regular season in third, four points off Cronulla in second and six points of Newcastle in first.
Penrith overcame Cronulla in the qualifying final, before knocking minor premiers Newcastle out of the finals, thanks to a 30-26 preliminary final.
However, Cronulla proved too good in the grand final, play at Leichhardt Oval, on Sunday.
The Sharks lead 12-6 at half-time, before Panthers equalised after the break via a John Trimboli try.
Sharks pinched the lead not long after through Bronson Xerri, before Braydon Trindall sealed the result with Cronulla’s fourth try.
Fearnley will now be focused on cementing a permanent starting position in the Penrith Jersey Flegg starting line-up in 2019.
“I’ve just been learning off the older boys, watching how they prepare themselves for games,” he said.
“I’m just soaking it all up and enjoying everything.
“I get to train at the Panthers academy. It’s very high class, where we do all our training, recovering and video sessions. Being all at the one place is a massive bonus.”
Fearnley doesn’t train with the Panthers’ senior side, rather occasionally trains with the Intrust Super Premiership NSW side.
He’s definitely noticed the difference in intensity, from the Group 10 level to the Sydney standard.
“It’s a lot quicker and much more physical,” he said.
“There’s also a lot more gym work and we train more often.”
On the same day, St Pat’s graduate Will Kennedy played for the Newtown Jets in his NSW Instruct Super Premiership decider against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.
Kennedy, who is regarded as one of the best fullbacks in the competition, was unable to inspire the Jets to a win, going down 18-12, after leading the match 10-0.
The win for Canterbury was the club’s first title in the competition since 2011.
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