24 Mar 2016

Kenny-Dowall sets sights on Roosters record

6:20 am on 24 March 2016

Shaun Kenny-Dowall has set himself the task of overhauling Anthony Minichiello as the Sydney Roosters' greatest tryscorer ahead of his 200th NRL game.

Kiwi and Roosters back Shaun Kenny-Dowall.

Kiwi and Roosters back Shaun Kenny-Dowall. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Kenny-Dowall, 28, has been one of the Roosters' few in-form players in the Tricolours' winless start to 2016. He plays his 200th NRL match for the club in Saturday night's round-four clash with Manly at Allianz Stadium.

The Kiwi international has scored 112 tries since 2007. He is behind only club great Minichiello in the tryscoring stakes for the Tricolours and has another year to run on his contract with the Roosters after this season. Minichiello scored 139 tries in 302 games from 2000-14.

"That is a running joke Mini and I have," Kenny-Dowall said on Wednesday.

"I don't try to think about it too much but if I keep playing good football, then it is a possibility.

"I am fortunate to be up there with someone like Mini and that is a very proud achievement in itself."

Kenny-Dowall didn't make his way to the NRL through the much-hyped and often bloated talent identification programs but came to Australia as a backpacker to follow his dream of playing first-grade rugby league.

His debut year was eerily similar to the current problems plaguing the Roosters.

In 2007 under coach Chris Anderson, before he was sacked mid-season, the Roosters conceded 91 points over the first three rounds. That was the club's worst effort since rugby league's foundation year in Australia in 1908. However this year, the club have let in 103 points over the opening three rounds.

But Kenny-Dowall is confident the Roosters can turn things around.

"Saturday will be a pretty proud day for me, it is an important milestone and I am looking forward to it," he said.

"Not in my wildest dreams did I think I would play 200 games.

"I am a one-club man, I wouldn't have it any other way and I am proud to represent the club. They gave me the opportunity to pursue my dream and play rugby league."

-AAP