The Merv Cartwright Awards night, a hallowed tradition at the Penrith Panthers, served as the formal stage for the extraordinary journey of Thomas Jenkins. His presence, accepting two of the club’s most esteemed awards, was not just a celebration of his on-field performance but a powerful testament to his character and resilience.
Jenkins’ story is one of a challenging path. A Penrith junior, he initially struggled to break into the first-grade team, a common hurdle in a squad rich with talent. His decision to leave the club for a contract with the Newcastle Knights was a difficult one, made with the hope of securing a more consistent role.
However, that move ended abruptly, leaving his career at a crossroads. Faced with an uncertain future, Jenkins made the humbling decision to return to the Panthers’ extended network, joining a third-tier feeder club, St Mary’s. It was a step back in the eyes of many, but for Jenkins, it was a crucial step forward. He found a part-time job and trained with a singular, quiet determination.
As Coach Ivan Cleary would later reflect, Jenkins “trained the house down,” embodying the very qualities of grit and perseverance that the club holds in high regard. His dedication led to a remarkable comeback. He was offered a development contract and, through a series of injuries to other players, found himself elevated to the NRL squad. He didn’t just fill a gap; he became a vital piece of the team, leading the Panthers in tries and running meters for the season.
This inspiring narrative resonated deeply, particularly with the club’s loyal fan-base. This connection was formalised with his win of the Members Player of the Year award. This honour, voted on entirely by the club’s members, has historically been a true measure of a player’s impact and connection to the community. It represents the supporters’ recognition of a player who not only performs on the field but also embodies the club’s values.
For Jenkins, an individual who had returned with humility and passion, this award was a direct confirmation that his personal journey had captured the heart of the Penrith faithful. Simultaneously, Jenkins was honoured with the John Farragher Award for Courage and Determination, an accolade with deep significance. The award is named after John Farragher, a former Panthers player whose career was tragically cut short by a serious neck injury.
Farragher’s story is one of an unwavering spirit in the face of adversity, and the award is given to the player who best exemplifies this quality throughout the year. For Jenkins, whose career had faced a similar, though less severe, challenge and was now back at the pinnacle of the sport, receiving this honour was a powerful validation of his long, difficult road back.
The night’s celebrations, however, took place just days after Jenkins had been informed that he would not be in the team for the first week of the finals. When asked about this difficult decision, Coach Ivan Cleary was candid, stating, “It’s not a fun part of the job, but it’s one of those things around finals time where you can’t pick everyone.” Cleary was quick to emphasise that the selection was not a reflection on Jenkins’s year.
“Tom is having an amazing year and is one of the best stories of our season,” he said, “so he’ll be ready when he’s needed.”
The two awards he took home were, therefore, a formal acknowledgment that while he may not have been in the final lineup, his contribution was significant and a cornerstone of the team’s success for the season.
– Tully Potts
The South West Slopes Times covers an area approximately the size of Fiji in country NSW. We look after a population of more than 50,000 people with our staff servicing 7 major towns and dozens of villages with our story telling footprint.
We offer weekly print editions at $3 a copy and we also offer digital subscriptions across 3 months $30, 6 months $60 and 12 months $120.
We are one of the last truly local independent family run newspaper businesses in the state.
Contact us today to find out how we can promote your business or organisation across our huge network by emailing ads@thetimes.net.au or by calling 0413 763 216.
If you have a news tip, lead or scoop for us please make contact as we love celebrating our communities. You can contribute articles via our South West Slopes Times website.