Shawn Blore has been one of Melbourne's unsung heroes this year but there's not a chance Penrith will overlook him in Sunday's grand final — they know him too well. 

Blore has come a long way in 2024. After joining from Wests Tigers in January, he's been a quiet success story for the Storm on the left edge.

But there was a time when there was nothing quiet about Blore. It wasn't so long ago that everybody in junior rugby league knew all about him because he was one of the most highly touted youngsters in the country.

As a boy, Blore had a rare pedigree and he's a fixture on old junior teamsheets that boast a score of names who went on to feature in Penrith's recent dynasty.

He captained the club's SG Ball side to a premiership in 2018, playing alongside Stephen Crichton, Matt Burton, and Spencer Leniu before going straight to Jersey Flegg where he played in another grand final, this time alongside Brian To'o and Mitch Kenny.

Later that season he captained New South Wales Under 18s to victory over Queensland, played Junior Kangaroos two years young and was selected by Brad Fittler for an emerging State of Origin squad, alongside the likes of Payne Haas, Mitchell Moses, Dylan Edwards, Moses Leota and Zac Lomax, before he'd played an NRL match.

Fittler had coached Blore for the Blues Under 16s side a few years earlier and knew firsthand the talent he had at his disposal.

"It was firstly the athleticism that stood — at that age, a lot of the best kids are all fairly athletic, but he accepted his position in the team," said Fittler.

"He knew he was one of the better players, he knew he was a strike player. He understood that and he took that responsibility. He was a stand-out."

To'o remembers Blore's prowess well given they were added to the club's development list at the same time. 

"He was a young gun coming up but he was a gentle giant away from the field. When we first came into our first NRL pre-season in 2019 it was me, Shawn, his brother Dean and Spencer Leniu, we all came in together," To'o said.

"I'm so happy for him. He's come a long way and had to overcome a lot of trials and tribulations. I'm really happy to see him have a shot at the title."

Those trials To'o mentions almost stopped Blore's career before it could even begin. 

An ACL injury suffered at training wiped out his 2019 season before he took up a contract with Wests Tigers where he memorably scrapped with Parramatta's Nathan Brown in his NRL debut. 

But the suspension of lower grade football in 2020 and 2021 and another ACL injury, which kept him out for all of 2022, seemed to put the breaks on a career which once promise so much. 

That's until he arrived at the Storm this year. Blore managed to stay healthy, notching up a career best 23 games this season and becoming a fixture on the left edge, earning the trust of superstars like Cameron Munster in the progress.

Blore runs strong lines on down his side of the field, works hard in defence and offloads well — he's popped 38 of them this year, the 11th most of any player in the league.

On Sunday he'll mark up on Penrith hitman Liam Martin, one of the most physical backrowers in the league. 

In a mark of respect for Blore, Martin can't wait to lock horns with the former Panther. 

"He was incredible, how skilful and physical he was for his age," said Martin. 

"Him and Spencer came through together and they had massive wraps, some people had bigger wraps on Blorey than Spenny.

"He's faced setbacks and left and I'm so happy to see how well he's doing, I knew Melbourne would be a great fit, I'm so excited to come up against him.

"He's big, physical, won't back away and he's an ultra competitor. I love playing against blokes like that."

A grand final ring would be a fitting reward for a player who fought his way back from the brink, but it might only be the start of things for Blore as he becomes the player he was always supposed to be.

"He still has that potential to be a really dangerous backrower. I think we're only just starting to see that now," said Fittler.

"It took him going to a club like Melbourne, who have such strong leadership, but what we're seeing now can just be the start."