The Aporia · The Knights declared Tom Jenkins would be a ‘long-term NRL player’. They were half right

In October 2023, Newcastle Knights announced that Tom Jenkins would be a long-term NRL player. However, after only five games with Newcastle, Jenkins left to join Penrith where he became a key player. At the age of 25, Jenkins has scored 30 tries in 25 games for Penrith and is close to winning his first premiership ring. The article reflects on Jenkins' short but memorable stint at Newcastle and how he found success at Penrith despite initial doubts about his fit with Newcastle's coaching style under Adam O’Brien.

Written by AI on 2026-09-26, from this article's own text only (the story summary below draws on all the coverage).

Story summary

In October 2023, the Newcastle Knights declared that Tom Jenkins would be a "long-term NRL player." However, this prediction only partially came true. Jenkins did become an NRL mainstay but at his rival club, the Penrith Panthers, not Newcastle as initially expected. On Sunday, April 14, 2024, Penrith will face off against Newcastle at Accor Stadium, with Jenkins and veteran Dane Gagai, who taught him during his short stay in the Hunter region, on opposing sides.

Jenkins made his club debut for the Knights in round two of the 2024 season after former coach Adam O'Brien informed him while he was in the bathroom. Jack Cogger handed him his Knights jersey before they played against North Queensland. Despite Newcastle's high hopes and a two-year deal offer from North Queensland, Jenkins struggled to find regular playing time at Newcastle, managing just five games there.

In contrast, Jenkins has become a key player for Penrith, scoring tries consistently and is only 160 minutes away from his first premiership ring. Despite the initial optimism in Newcastle, Jenkins' career path took an unexpected turn when he joined Penrith, where he found more regular playing time and opportunities to shine.

Written for “NRL Player Future” on 2026-11-03, grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.

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When the chance to play more regular football in Newcastle did not eventuate, he was prepared to play Ron Massey Cup with St Marys, while making sure Penrith coach Ivan Cleary knew he was back in the neighbourhood.

framing: assertive · carried by 1 article(s) · first seen 2026-09-26

🔮 The Newcastle Knights’ official press release in October 2023 declared Tom Jenkins was someone they believed would be a “long-term NRL player”.

2026-09-26 · The Sydney Morning Herald

The Knights declared Tom Jenkins would be a ‘long-term NRL player’. They were half right · assertive framing

The Newcastle Knights’ official press release in October 2023 declared Tom Jenkins was someone they believed would be a “long-term NRL player”. asserted

they → declare → October

The Knights were half right: Jenkins has gone on to become a mainstay in the NRL – at a rival club. asserted

Jenkins → go → club

Penrith and Jenkins will run out at Accor Stadium on Sunday afternoon against the club he signed with just three years ago. asserted

he → run → club

The 25-year-old Jenkins will even be on the same side of the field as Knights centre Dane Gagai, the veteran who taught him plenty of lessons during his short stay in the Hunter. asserted

who → teach → Hunter

Jenkins remembers making his club debut for the Knights in round two of the 2024 season. asserted

Jenkins → remember → season

Former coach Adam O’Brien casually yelled out the good news while Jenkins was in the bathroom. asserted

Jenkins → yell → bathroom

Jack Cogger, who has also since returned to Penrith, handed him his Knights jersey. asserted

who → return → jersey

They played against North Queensland, the club that had offered Jenkins a two-year deal. asserted

that → play → deal

So how is it a winger who has scored tries for fun at Penrith, and is just 160 minutes away from his first premiership ring, scraped together just five games at Newcastle? asserted

who → score → Newcastle

“I had all intentions of being a long-term first-grader, and being a long-term first-grader for Newcastle,” Jenkins said. asserted

Jenkins → have → Newcastle

He gave me my club debut jersey, which was a nice memory. asserted

which → give → jersey

All the boys were great up there, and they enjoyed a laugh. asserted

they → enjoy → laugh

He’s such a talented player and I have so much respect for him. asserted

I → ’ → him

He kept telling me to stick to what I’m good at, and to keep backing myself. asserted

I → keep → myself

That became pretty obvious. asserted

That → become → ?

“I wasn’t getting what I needed as a player from the coach, and he [O’Brien] wasn’t getting the performances from me as a player. asserted

O’Brien → get → player

“I needed a change. asserted

I → need → change

If I wasn’t going to be playing good footy, I might as well have been back here doing what I enjoy.” uncertain

I → go → what

Jenkins grew up in Boorowa, about 90 minutes north of Canberra, and started his NRL career at the Panthers. asserted

Jenkins → grow → Panthers

He made his debut in the NRL in the final round of 2022, in Townsville, and his fondest memory is Eddie Blacker chasing down Scott Drinkwater (“make sure you put that in because Eddie will love it.“) asserted

Eddie → make → it

he → play → neighbourhood

The more football Jenkins has played, the more he has grown in confidence, which has led to him being more vocal – almost annoying, according to some – around the group. uncertain

him → play → group

“He speaks really well in front of the cameras, but he’s the foghorn and extravert inside our four walls,” co-captain Isaah Yeo said. asserted

Yeo → speak → walls

“He’s been outstanding for us, he’s brought a real confidence, and you can see that in the way he plays. asserted

he → bring → way

He’s hard to tackle, super confident in the air, and while everyone sees the tries he scores [30 in 25 games], defensively, in our system, he’s been exceptional. asserted

he → ’ → system

I’m so happy with the way he’s played.” asserted

he → ’m → way

The Knights declared Tom Jenkins would be a ‘long-term NRL player’. They were half right

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