‘These things happen’: Panthers star Mitchell Kenny calls out online abuse following golden-point draw
Penrith Panthers hooker Mitchell Kenny took a stand against vicious online abuse he received following a dramatic 30-30 golden-point draw against the North Queensland Cowboys on May 10, 2025, in Townsville. The three-time premiership winner, in a now-deleted Instagram story, shared a screenshot of a vulgar message from a disgruntled fan who claimed Kenny’s actions cost him “a trillion dollars” on a bet, captioning it, “These things happen aye! Have a good weekend, everyone,” with a sarcastic offer to “send the trillion sorry legend,” as reported by the Daily Mail.
The controversy stemmed from the match’s final moments. With 20 seconds left in regulation time and the score tied, Kenny opted to run from dummy-half instead of passing to teammate Nathan Cleary, who was positioned for a potential field goal. Cleary, whose earlier attempt was charged down, missed another shot in golden point, as did the Cowboys’ Jake Clifford, resulting in the draw. The fan’s abusive message targeted Kenny’s decision, calling him “f*****g useless” and a “hog” for not utilizing Cleary, widely regarded as one of the NRL’s best.
Kenny’s response highlighted the growing issue of betting-related abuse in the NRL, with fans lashing out over lost wagers. This isn’t an isolated case; in 2021, retired Roosters star Josh Morris faced similar vitriol over a failed multi-bet, responding, “I don’t care about your multis.” The Panthers’ draw, despite their 4-6 season record and second-bottom ladder position, showcased their resilience, with tries from Isaiah Papali’i and Blaize Talagi, but also missed opportunities, as coach Ivan Cleary lamented to Fox League: “We shouldn’t have even been in that position.”
The incident also followed scrutiny over a separate controversy, with a viral video allegedly showing a Panthers trainer wetting the ball, potentially affecting grip, during the match, prompting an NRL investigation. Kenny, no stranger to social media storms, faced a one-match ban and $10,000 fine in February 2024 for a December 2023 Instagram post captioned “couple Boxing Day lines have got me in trouble,” which he attributed to trolls grabbing his phone. His latest clapback underscores the toll of online harassment, with fans on X praising his humor while condemning the abuser’s toxicity.
