CS Team of the Century ǀ Tigers’ spearhead Brendan Kenna looks back on storied career

In the lead-up to the ceremony, The News will run special feature pieces on all 30 players, before the release of a commemorative magazine on November 25.

To win seven Haisman Shield premierships on the trot you need a few things and a lethal strike bowler is one of them.

Central Park-St Brendan’s had that and a whole lot more in Brendan Kenna.

The man affectionately known as ‘‘Grumpy’’ was a key figure of the Tigers’ historic seven-time premiership streak and, beyond that, he was a Victoria Country representative, Central Park-St Brendan’s’ all-time leading wicket-taker and a junior coach of 20 years for Northern Rivers in the Dowling Shield competition.

The former quick has carved a remarkable career, one full of spirit and resilience, things he carries with him today.

Kenna’s cricketing journey began at the same place many of his teammates’ did, Notre Dame College, where he was a year below his future Tigers teammates Rohan Larkin and Bryan Doyle.

But much of Kenna’s junior career took shape at Shepparton Youth Club, now Shepparton United, where he said he was fortunate enough to learn from some of the association’s best.

"Peter Whitelock and Peter Pearson were the new-ball bowlers, there was Ted Wayman, who was a gun cricketer, and a bloke by the name of Gary Dearly who was a ferocious competitor,“ Kenna said.

While finishing high school Kenna worked his way into SYC’s ’80s dynasty side and was a part its premiership team of the 1989-90 season under Whitelock.

“To break into that side was unbelievable, that side was set in stone for many years, it was unreal when you reflect on it,” he said.

It wasn’t long before Kenna’s capabilities with ball in hand caught the attention of SYC’s competitors.

“The next year I was poached by Central Park-St Brendan’s, Gary O’Brien and Rob Douloudis contacted me and said we want you to be our new-ball bowler,” Kenna said.

“That was one of the more difficult decisions I’ve had to make.”

Little did he know at the time it would be the start of something special, but it would still take some time before the Tigers would taste Haisman Shield success.

It wasn’t until the 1999-2000 season that Central Park-St Brendan’s would snap its premiership drought, but a snowboarding injury overseas kept Kenna out of Bryan Doyle’s A-grade side.

It wouldn’t keep him far from the field, however, and Kenna still managed to pull on the whites for the B-grade outfit and bowled 40 overs unchanged, helping it clinch a flag with remarkable figures of 6-40.

“That was a real character-building year, I’d been the new-ball opening bowler for years and then to miss out on the first flag that they won, as disappointing as it was at the time, it was something that really put the fire in the belly to work even harder,” Kenna said.

That hard work paid off and seven-straight premierships in the early 2000s reflected not only years of resilience, but a special bond that was forged across several years at the Tigers.

“Those years are a highlight of my sporting career and the friendships that I developed with those boys is lifelong,” Kenna said.

“I consider some of those blokes an extension my family, a lot of clubs might experience team success, but that bond, that camaraderie and the culture we built at Central Park-St Brendan’s has been a massive highlight of my career.”

Kenna’s impact on cricket in the region has been felt by many and his undying love for the game and his teammates is how he is remembered.

Also a distinguished teacher in the Goulburn Valley, Kenna took up a coaching gig at Mooroopna in 2013 in an effort to pass on the knowledge he gained throughout his journey.

He was also coach of the under-16 Northern Rivers Dowling Shield side for more than 20 years, mentoring the likes of Aiden Blizzard and Alex Keath in their early stages.

“You always want to teach your kids to play within the spirit of the game, go as hard as you can and be humble,” Kenna said.

“These are things I’ve always instilled in my daughters and any of the blokes that I’ve ever coached, never let your postcode determine your outcome.

“If you work hard, surround yourself with the right people, take on the right advice and you’re humble and honest with yourself that’ll put you in good stead for anything.

“And I just extend that to cricket.”

Kenna called time on his playing days in 2016-17, captaining the Tigers’ B-grade side to a premiership alongside one of his best mates.

Across a decorated innings, Kenna said one his most cherished memories arrived in that swansong year.

“I got as much joy enticing Peter Holland out of retirement in my final year, I thought that was a minor miracle,” Kenna said.

“I wanted him to play with his young son Connor — the joy that I experienced watching those two have a partnership that inevitably had an impact on us winning the flag — I got more joy from that than any of the eight flags I won.

“Any moment where I’ve been able to share in other people’s success, or in some way have an impact on someone else’s success is pretty special.”