‘Full faith’: Panthers shine under ‘Milky’ way on wing
Joel Gould |
Penrith can-do man and round one hero Tom Jenkins has no qualms about being left out of last year’s finals series, and it’s because of his trust in coach Ivan Cleary.
After playing 21 matches and scoring 13 tries in the regular season in 2025, the 24-year-old known as “Milky” was dropped for the Panthers’ three finals.
That coincided with fellow wingers Paul Alamoti and Brian To’o being fit after the duo had an injury-interrupted year.
Jenkins scored two tries and set up another in the 26-0 win over Brisbane on Friday night in a sensational match in which he combined superbly with centre Casey McLean.
He was a late inclusion after Cleary left out centre Izack Tago and reshuffled the backline.
Jenkins was quick to respond when asked about whether it was unfair he was omitted at the pointy end of 2025.
“No, I have so much faith, so much trust in Ive,” he said.
“We had a pretty long conversation after it and we both agreed that it was the right call.
“I wasn’t playing up to standard, Pauly (Alamoti) was in such good form, he was playing so well … he 100% deserved to be there and I totally backed his call.
“Hopefully …this year I can do a role again and when it comes that time, to be there.”
Jenkins is testament to the team-first mentality at the Panthers. He has also grown as a man and a footballer and conceded there was a time he may not have dealt with last year’s disappointment as well.
“If you had asked me that about two or three years ago, I would’ve been down in the dumps and I wouldn’t know how to handle it,” he said.
“But we have such a good wellness and support system at Penrith and Kevin Kingston works really closely with a lot of us boys and how we can handle adversity … which is always a part of footy.
“As much as it is hard, it’s just one of those things that you have to deal with.”
Jenkins is highly driven to succeed but not because of feeling slighted last season.
“It’s more motivation to how I can fill my role in the team and what I can do to help us win and make us better,” he said.
“So that was probably a big thing, not really looking too far ahead, more just thinking where my feet are and taking every day and week as it is and it’ll sort of work out.”
With Cleary as coach, Jenkins is sure he will shine again as he did against Brisbane.
“He’s always honest and that’s what I need as a player,” Jenkins saiid.
“I have full faith in him and he gives me full confidence that I can go out there and do a job if I’m picked.”
AAP