The club did not reveal the length of the deal but it\u2019s understood Kenny will remain at the foot of the mountains until the end of 2031.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a big win for the Panthers, who are able to lock Kenny down before he was due to hit free agency on November 1.<\/p>\n
The club face a battle to retain several stars who have current contracts until the end of next season, hence making them free agents on November 1, such as Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo, Liam Martin and Brian To\u2019o.<\/p>\n
The Chiefs were reportedly interested in the hooker, but have missed out. <\/p>\n
\u201cMitch is an incredibly reliable and determined player who consistently demonstrates the courage and leadership we value at the Panthers,\u201d General Manager of Rugby League Shane Elford said via a club-issused statement.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is definitely my preference,\u201d Kenny told CODE Sports<\/a> on Tuesday when asked whether he wanted to stay a Panther.<\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t always get what you want in life, and definitely in rugby league and the nature of the business of it all. <\/p>\n \u201cI have tried to be open-minded through the whole process. Penrith knows that I\u2019d like to stay if they want to keep me and a deal can be done, but you\u2019ve also got to sort of wrestle with, you know, other possibilities and realities as well. <\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s been some interest from the club. And we are trying to work through that at the moment.\u201d<\/p>\n NRL 2026 RD01 Brisbane Broncos v Penrith Panthers – Mitch KennySource: Supplied<\/p>\n BRONCOS CLOSE IN ON $3 MILLION DEAL FOR HAAS SUCCESSOR<\/p>\n The Brisbane Broncos may be in the midst of a losing streak and are all but confirmed to miss out on this year\u2019s final series, but they are set to receive a massive boost for their future.<\/p>\n Preparing for life without Payne Haas, who will depart for the Rabbitohs at the end of this season, the Broncos have confirmed that they have opened up contract negotiations with New Zealand international Xavier Willison.<\/p>\n Bound to attract interest from nearly every NRL club if he goes to market on November 1, where he would command in excess of $1 million per season, Willison is set to remain at the Broncos on a three-year deal after being groomed as Haas\u2019 long-term successor in the front row.<\/p>\n \u201cXavier Willison hasn\u2019t re-signed at this point in time,\u201d former Broncos veteran Corey Parker said on SENQ Breakfast. <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve made mention before he\u2019d be priority number one (to re-sign). <\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re getting Mitch Barnett, but he (Willison) is certainly somebody you would love to have on board.\u201d<\/p>\n According to Wide World of Sports<\/a>, the new contract is set to be worth around $950,000 per season, making him the second-highest-paid player at Red Hill behind Reece Walsh ($1.25 million per season).<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019d love Xavier to stay and we\u2019ll work through that in the background,\u201d Broncos CEO Dave Donaghy told CODE Sports<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cXavier knows the future we see for him at the Broncos. The great thing about Xavier is that he loves the footy club.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s always wanted to play in the Broncos jersey and he\u2019s living out that dream. He\u2019s really growing and developing as a footballer and as a leader.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m really excited about his future and our future with him.\u201d<\/p>\n BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – JULY 04: Xavier Willison of the Broncos in action during the round 18 NRL match between Brisbane Broncos and Cronulla Sharks at Suncorp Stadium, on July 04, 2026, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n PENRITH STAR TO REJECT PNG MOVE<\/p>\n The PNG Chiefs may have been able to recruit Alex Johnston, Connor Watson and Jarome Luai, but they have reportedly failed in their attempt to lure hooker Mitch Kenny away from the Penrith Panthers.<\/p>\n One of several Panthers players who are free to speak and negotiate with rival teams from November 1, Kenny is set to stay put and will continue to wear the No.9 jersey at the foot of the mountains.<\/p>\n Shaping up as an NSW Blues candidate before going down with an injury, Zero Tackle<\/a> reports that the dummy-half is close to reaching a verbal agreement with the Panthers to sign an extension, keeping him there beyond 2027.<\/p>\n