Fastfood ban helps prop revive career

A new commitment to exercise and keep away from junk food has seen Penrith Panthers Sam McKendry reignite his NRL career after slimming down to a  svelte 110kg.
The Dargaville prop debuted for the Panthers first grade side  in 2008 against the Warriors but struggled to keep his weight down last season. He lost form, making first grade appearances few and far between.
 McKendry decided in the off-season  it was "now or never" and if he didn't make the grade this year his  career could founder before it really got started.
"I put in the hard yards pre-season and stripping down in weight has helped me get a run - it's been great to finally get back into the team and we've been doing all right too, so I'm pretty happy," he said.
While his teammates enjoyed their holiday, McKendry started running 10km in daily treadmill sessions and chased it up with extra weight training. He trimmed 12kg from his frame before the season got underway.
The slimmed down McKendry has played in all of the Panthers' games this season to date and he is expected to be named in the squad to travel across the ditch to play the Warriors at Mt Smart Stadium on Sunday.
The 20-year-old really made his mark in the Panther's fourth round clash against Newcastle with his busting runs and a 49th minute try - his second in successive games - sparking Penrith's second half comeback. He has  consistently featured highly in the hit-up statistics in all of the matches.
He isn't taking his current form for granted though.
"I know I've still got to work hard, there are other players that are trying to break into the side but so far, I've had pretty good feedback from the coaching staff," he said.
"They want me to carry on playing good footy and also carry on with my extra work."
Along with a diet that he "mostly" keeps to, McKendry has hit on a winning formula for the NRL and the not-so-big prop can expect plenty of support this  weekend at Mount Smart.

 McKendry's mother Rae Sowter said most of the family are champing at the bit to get down to the game.
"Almost the whole family will be going - at least a dozen of us - we're all very proud of him ... but they have to go straight back to Penrith after the game so we hope we can get a few minutes with him after the game," she said.
Some of the McKendry fan club will be decked out in special Penrith "Pink Panther" strips - a special edition pink shirt issued when the club did a breast cancer awareness fundraiser and Sowter said they will be vocal in their support.
"Like all Kiwi league fans we all support the Warriors but when it comes to playing Penrith,  we've put aside that and become Penrith fans," she said.
McKendry thinks the Penrith side has been travelling well enough to beat the Warriors but he is always wary of the Kiwi side.
"I'm looking forward to playing against the Warriors but after Saturday's win [over the Bulldogs] everyone's expecting a tough game, especially at their home ground," he said.