Xavier Willison set to set sign $3 million extension with Brisbane Broncos, Penrith Panther star Mitch Kenny to reject PNG Chiefs, Catalans Dragons table three-year deal to Toby Rudolf, transfer whispers

Penrith have confirmed the signing of Mitch Kenny on a multi-year extension.

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The club did not reveal the length of the deal but it’s understood Kenny will remain at the foot of the mountains until the end of 2031.

It’s a big win for the Panthers, who are able to lock Kenny down before he was due to hit free agency on November 1.

The club face a battle to retain several stars who are November 1 guys, such as Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo, Liam Martin and Brian To’o.

The Chiefs were reportedly interested in the hooker, but have missed out.

“Mitch is an incredibly reliable and determined player who consistently demonstrates the courage and leadership we value at the Panthers,” General Manager of Rugby League Shane Elford said via a club-issused statement.

“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.”

“That is definitely my preference,” Kenny told CODE Sports on Tuesday when asked whether he wanted to stay a Panther.

“You don’t always get what you want in life, and definitely in rugby league and the nature of the business of it all.

“I have tried to be open-minded through the whole process. Penrith knows that I’d like to stay if they want to keep me and a deal can be done, but you’ve also got to sort of wrestle with, you know, other possibilities and realities as well.

“There’s been some interest from the club. And we are trying to work through that at the moment.”

BRONCOS CLOSE IN ON $3 MILLION DEAL FOR HAAS SUCCESSOR

The Brisbane Broncos may be in the midst of a losing streak and are all but confirmed to miss out on this year’s final series, but they are set to receive a massive boost for their future.

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.

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’ long-term successor in the front row.

“Xavier Willison hasn’t re-signed at this point in time,” former Broncos veteran Corey Parker said on SENQ Breakfast.

“I’ve made mention before he’d be priority number one (to re-sign).

“They’re getting Mitch Barnett, but he (Willison) is certainly somebody you would love to have on board.”

According to Wide World of Sports, 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).

“We’d love Xavier to stay and we’ll work through that in the background,” Broncos CEO Dave Donaghy told CODE Sports.

“Xavier knows the future we see for him at the Broncos. The great thing about Xavier is that he loves the footy club.

“He’s always wanted to play in the Broncos jersey and he’s living out that dream. He’s really growing and developing as a footballer and as a leader.

“I’m really excited about his future and our future with him.”

PENRITH STAR TO REJECT PNG MOVE

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.

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.

Shaping up as an NSW Blues candidate before going down with an injury, Zero Tackle reports that the dummy-half is close to reaching a verbal agreement with the Panthers to sign an extension, keeping him there beyond 2027.

CODE Sports now reports that the extension will be until the end of the 2031 season.

SHARKS CULT HERO TABLED THREE-YEAR DEAL

Cronulla Sharks cult hero Toby Rudolf is contemplating his future in the NRL after being linked to another club for next season and beyond.

Per reports from The Herald, Rudolf has been tabled a three-year contract from the Catalans Dragons in the Super League competition.

Yet, to agree to join the French-based side, it is understood that the Sharks will be given the chance to match the offer.

However, they may be unable to due to lingering salary cap issues, which will already see them farewell Cameron McInnes, Jesse Ramien, Sione Katoa and Siosifa Talakai at the end of the 2026 season.

Meanwhile, the Sharks still have six players off-contract at the end of this year, including Braden Uele and the Puru brothers – Hohepa and Niwhai.

“When you’ve got a squad like ours that’s been together for a while, and then to have as many players as we do leaving this year, that does get spoken about among us,” Ramien said this week.

“It is going to be a last ride for a few of the guys together. And we’ve been together so long, it adds to it. You don’t want this to be another ‘what if’ year.

“We know we’ve got the squad that can win [a premiership]. We’ve built that here, but it’s about putting the performances in each week so at the end of the season we’re able to give it a red-hot crack”.