Rhys Wesser

Penrith's all time try scoring record holder Rhys Wesser is a graduate of Rockhampton's Emmaus College and played junior rugby league with Brothers in Rockhampton representing Queensland at Under 17 level, before being signed by Penrith Panthers.

Wesser made his NRL debut in 1998, but didn’t earn a regular spot in Penrith's top grade side until 2001.

A year later, Wesser broke the club record, scoring 19 tries in a season, including three hat-tricks. In 2003, Wesser again broke the try scoring record, this time crossing 25 times in 26 appearances. That record still stands, and his tally of 113 tries from his 11 seasons with Penrith has him 12 clear of fellow club legends, Greg Alexander and Ryan Girdler, on the all-time list.

Wesser won the club's Best Player Award in 2003 and 2006, and claimed a premiership ring, playing fullback in the 18-6 win over the Roosters in the 2003 NRL grand final.

He made his State of Origin debut in 2004, playing all three games at fullback.

I've been lucky enough to play for my state, to represent my people at the World Cup, and win a premiership.

Rhys Wesser FOG #141

Wesser returned to the Maroons as a winger for the 2006 decider in Melbourne, a match Queensland won 16-14.  

In 2008, Wesser played fullback in the Indigenous Dreamtime team's 34-26 win over the Maori, in a World Cup curtain raiser.

After 177 appearances for the Panthers, Wesser signed a three-year deal with South Sydney in 2009, and made a further 41 NRL appearances, before announcing his retirement. He remained at Souths in a fulltime mentoring role.