Tyrone Peachey says the chance to represent his culture and family prompted him to prioritise the Koori Knockout in Bathurst over his Penrith teammates at the NRL grand final.
Peachey, who earned a Panthers premiership ring as the team’s 18th man during last year’s decider, spent the weekend playing for Nanima Common Connection (NCC) over the weekend.
Peachey led NCC to the grand final, where he scored two tries, in a 46-12 loss to champions Walgett Aboriginal Connection. In doing so, he missed out on Penrith’s historic four-peat, plus the chance to be feted at Accor Stadium as one of the NRL’s retiring players.
The Panthers gave Peachey their blessing to participate in the Koori Knockout and the former NSW star said he was blessed to feel part of two huge career moments simultaneously.
“Whenever I get …