- Mitch Kenny is suspended for Penrith’s first game of the season
- Footy star posted on Boxing Day with a white substance
- He blamed the post on ‘trolls who took my phone’
Mitch Kenny will be suspended for the first match of Penrith’s premiership defense after the NRL concluded its investigation into his social media post on Boxing Day.
Kenny was issued an infringement notice by the NRL earlier this month after posting on his Instagram Story on December 27 that a “few Boxing Day rules got me in trouble (sic)”.
The double premiership-winning hooker immediately deleted the post and uploaded a second image with the caption ‘Happy New Year boys’. Enjoy and ignore the trolls who took my phone.”
The NRL is expected to confirm Kenny’s sanction later this week, but AAP has been told he will not be available for next Friday’s first round against perennial heavyweights Melbourne.
Soni Luke, Penrith’s back-up hooker last season, is the most likely candidate to start against the Storm, with rookie Luke Sommerton another option.
Mitch Kenny has been handed a one match ban for this social media post on Boxing Day
The Panthers star said his phone was stolen and the post was made by a ‘troll’
Luke made 20 appearances for the Panthers last season, all from the bench, while Sommerton made his NRL debut late in the year and finished the campaign with two appearances to his name.
Kenny could also be fined by the NRL, which handed North Queensland center Valentine Holmes both a $25,000 fine and a one-match ban for a similar post in September.
In Holmes’ post, he was holding a small bag containing a white powder in his mouth. The 2016 premiership winner later apologized for it.
Kenny will return for the Panthers’ second round clash against traditional rivals Parramatta.