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'Prefer to stay': Penrith rake opens up on Cleary exit
Joel Gould, AAP • May 14th, 2026 7:20 am
Three-time Penrith premiership winner Mitch Kenny is optimistic about the club's future | Photo: James Gourley/AAP
Penrith hooker Mitch Kenny insists the club "absolutely can succeed" beyond the departure of Ivan Cleary as he reveals why he is in no hurry to make a call on his own future.
The 28-year-old said four-time premiership-winning coach Cleary's decision to leave the club at the end of 2027 was one he supported, while backing current assistant Peter Wallace to prosper as head coach in 2028 and beyond.
"The dominant feeling is that I am just happy Ivan has made that decision ... for him and his family. It is probably a weight off his shoulders making it public," Kenny told AAP at the launch of Magic Round in Brisbane.
Mitch Kenny and Ivan Cleary embrace after the 2024 grand final | Photo: Dan Himbrechts/AAP
"He has been such an important part of our club for such a long time and put so much work into the success that we have had. We will enjoy the time we have with him and make the most of it.
"While Ivan is a super important part of the puzzle, he is just a part of the puzzle.
"This is not a rushed decision. It is part of a succession plan and we have all the confidence in the world in Peter Wallace who I think is going to be a tremendous NRL coach."
Kenny is one of a suite of Panthers stars who also come off contract at the end of 2027, including Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo, Brian To'o, Liam Martin, Moses Leota and Blaize Talagi.
He has won three premierships and at 28 is coming into the prime of his career.
Penrith star Mitch Kenny meets fans at the Magic Round launch in Brisbane | Photo: Darren England/AAP
There is no doubt Kenny will be a likely target of new franchises, Perth Bears and PNG Chiefs.
"My preference is to stay at Penrith," Kenny said.
"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."
Kenny, who said he was "on track" in his recovery from a fractured fibula and syndesmosis injury that will keep him out for another four to six weeks, understood the interest in the Panthers contract puzzle.
Penrith assistant coach Peter Wallace will take over from Ivan Cleary in 2028 | Photo: Dan Himbrechts/AAP
"We are all pretty open-minded. All of us love Penrith and it is hard to envisage us playing for any other club but there has been a lot of guys in that same position at Penrith who have moved on," he said.
"We have lost heavyweight guys every year.The salary cap has been at work at Penrith for a long time but, whatever happens, the club will be in good stead.
"Wal has played a big part in the development of a lot of the guys in the squad now. He knows the system inside out and is definitely going to be ready."
Even so, Cleary will leave a hole of immense proportions.
"Ivan gave me my debut and has backed me ever since. He has been a massive part of my life on and off the field," Kenny said.
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