Penrith Panthers hooker Mitchell Kenny has responded to critical comments from some fans following the team’s recent draw with the North Queensland Cowboys. In an Instagram post, which has since been removed, Kenny highlighted the abusive messages he received after the game, pointing out that many were related to betting.
The controversy arose from a crucial moment late in the match, where, with just 20 seconds remaining, Kenny chose to run the ball from dummy-half instead of passing it to teammate Nathan Cleary, who was positioned for a potential field goal. Cleary had previously had an attempt blocked, adding to the frustration for fans hoping for a win.
In his post, Kenny shared a troubling message from a disappointed punter, who blamed him for losing a bet. Coupled with the caption, “These things happen aye! Have a good weekend everyone,” it was a clear indication of his awareness of the trolling but also his intention to rise above it.
This incident mirrors previous occurrences in the NRL, such as when former Roosters player Josh Morris faced threats online over a failed multi-bet in 2021. Morris had called out the behaviour, asserting that players are not concerned about fans’ gambling losses.
Looking ahead, the Penrith Panthers will have a bye week before they face the Newcastle Knights in round 12 of the competition.