Premiership hero re-signs, Panthers land first post-Cleary contract extension

Penrith has confirmed star hooker Mitch Kenny has re-signed with the club, committing his future until at least the end of the 2031 NRL season and in doing so turning his back on a potential lucrative tax-free payday from the PNG Chiefs.

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The extension makes Kenny the first of several premiership-winning Panthers stars the club is hoping to secure before a host of contracts expire and players are free to negotiate with rivals from November 1.

Also off-contract at season’s end are fellow premiership fixtures Liam Martin, Isaah Yeo, Brian To’o and Nathan Cleary as well as rising star Blaize Talagi, with the club now keen to build on Kenny’s commitment as it works through renewals for the rest of its core group.

A Penrith junior, Kenny, 28, has racked up 135 appearances since his 2019 NRL debut and has become a mainstay of Penrith’s dominant era featuring in the club’s Grand Final triumphs of 2022, 2023 and 2024.

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Panthers General Manager of Rugby League Shane Elford described the re-signing as a significant moment for the club which is currently chasing its fifth premiership in sixth seasons.

“Mitch is an incredibly reliable and determined player who consistently demonstrates the courage and leadership we value at the Panthers,” Elford said.

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“He has been an influential part of this team throughout an extraordinary period of success and continues to set an outstanding example through the way he prepares, competes and supports those around him.”

Elford added the club was thrilled to have Kenny locked in long-term, with hopes of reaching similar deals across the rest of its premiership-winning roster in the months ahead.

Kenny’s contract extension is also a huge vote of confidence in Peter Wallace who will take over the Panthers coaching reins from Ivan Cleary in 2028.

While not named to face Brisbane in NRL Round 20 on Thursday night, Kenny is close to a return from the broken leg and syndesmosis injury he suffered back in April.

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