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Full Noise by SN
Ex-Warrior Lussick set to make first start for unbeaten Panthers
George Clarke, AAP •  March 30th, 2026 1:03 pm
Freddy Lussick | Photo: AAP
Penrith coach Ivan Cleary won't be ironing his best silks, conceding defeat for Mitch Kenny's hopes of avoiding an NRL suspension.
Kenny will receive a one-game ban and miss Friday's clash with Melbourne after the Panthers hooker was charged with dangerous contact for a tackle on Isaiah Iongi in Saturday's win over Parramatta.
Kenny landed on the back of Iongi's legs in a tackle that has sidelined the Eels fullback with an ankle injury.
The Panthers coach claimed in his post-match press conference that Kenny's tackle didn't look like a traditional hip-drop action, suggesting the NRL had widened the scope of its interpretation of the tackle.
Cleary had success defending son Nathan against a high-contact suspension earlier this year but admitted there was no hope of getting Kenny's charge overturned.
"It's just an eye for an eye, I think. He got injured, he (Kenny) landed on the back of his leg," Cleary said.
"There is always consideration because you want to look after your players the best you can.
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"I stand by what I said, but there's just no chance for us to fight it."
Kenny's absence is likely to mean Freddy Lussick will come in at hooker as the Panthers - the only team still unbeaten this season - look to maintain their grip on first spot against the Storm.
Lussick arrived at Penrith over the summer as part of a revamp of the Panthers' lower grades after solid performances in the NSW Cup for the Warriors.
"He's one of the fittest guys I've ever seen," Cleary said.
"He turned up with a great attitude and made every post a winner every day.
"We changed up a bit of our depth and that was one of the reasons. We needed a bit of fresh energy and he's one of the guys that brought that."
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Meanwhile, Cleary spoke of his admiration for Storm flyer Sua Fa'alogo, who has established himself as Melbourne's starting fullback since Ryan Papenhuyzen's retirement.
The Storm have faded late and fallen to defeat in their last two games.
Craig Bellamy's side haven't lost three-straight NRL fixtures since 2022.
"(Fa'alogo) is an electric player with incredible ability to beat people and he's done some amazing things so far," Cleary said.
"Hopefully we can try and reduce his impact, although no doubt he'll come up with some pretty cool plays.
"If we play well and control what we can do, hopefully we can limit him and there's a few others in there as well - they've got some elite talent in that team."
