Panthers hooker Mitch Kenny says Ivan Cleary’s decision to step down as coach after next season won’t influence his own future at the club. Kenny is among a host of premiership winners at the Panthers who are off contract at the end of 2027 and expected to test the NRL open market on November 1.
The star-studded list also includes Penrith co-captains Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo, fellow Origin stars Brian To’o and Liam Martin, as well as young gun Blaize Talagi and veteran prop Moses Leota. Many have already indicated they will test the open market, and a salary cap squeeze could see Penrith struggle to keep hold of all of their stars.
Mitch Kenny (R image, left) says Ivan Cleary’s (L) decision to step down as Panthers coach won’t affect the hooker’s call on his own future. Pic: Getty
(Getty)
Coach Cleary’s decision to leave after 2027 could be another decisive factor in the futures of several players. But the 55-year-old’s successor Peter Wallace is a popular choice among the playing group to take over as head coach in 2028.
The former skipper has been part of the Penrith backroom staff since retiring as a player in 2018. Wallace transitioned into a full-time assistant role in 2023 and has the backing of the current head coach and the playing group to continue the club’s extraordinary run of success.
“Wal has played a big part in the development of a lot of the guys in the squad now,” Kenny said about the Panthers assistant. “He knows the system inside out and is definitely going to be ready.”
Mitch Kenny keen to stay at Penrith beyond 2027
The three-time premiership-winning hooker admits that coach Cleary will leave some massive shoes to fill. But his departure after next season does not change the fact that Kenny is hoping to sign an extension with the Panthers beyond 2027.
“My preference is to stay at Penrith,” the 28-year-old told reporters. “Right now, it is hard to imagine me playing for anyone else. I am super happy at the club but I know November 1 looms and there are a lot of decisions to be made with the amount of people we have coming off contract.
“I am fortunate I don’t have to worry about that right now. I am not able to discuss my future with anyone else other than Penrith. I will cross that bridge when it comes but I have put it on the backburner while I focus on getting myself healthy.”
Mitch Kenny (centre) says his preference is to stay at Penrith beyond 2027 when his current contract expires. Pic: Getty
(Cameron Spencer via Getty Images)
Kenny is still around 4-6 weeks away from an NRL return after a horror leg injury against the Dolphins in Round 7. He suffered a fractured fibula and syndesmosis injury after a tackle by Kodi Nikorima but says his recovery is on “on track” as he targets a return in the second half of the season.
The 28-year-old and his off-contract teammates would no doubt be targets for cashed-up rival clubs such as the Perth Bears and PNG Chiefs. And while Kenny says it’s “hard to envisage us playing for any other club”, he says the Panthers have shown in the past that they can deal with an exodus of top talent.
“We have lost heavyweight guys every year,” he pointed out. “The salary cap has been at work at Penrith for a long time but whatever happens, the club will be in good stead.”
with AAP