Tom Jenkins Breaks Penrith Try Record in Comeback Win

Tom Jenkins just rewrote the Penrith Panthers record books, and he did it the hard way.

The speedy winger scored his 26th try of the season Thursday night, surpassing club legend Rhys Wesser's single-season record in a gritty 24-18 comeback win over Parramatta. Jenkins now holds the most prolific try-scoring season in Penrith's history, and there's still time left on the clock this year.

The Panthers found themselves in unfamiliar territory early, trailing 12-0 to their rivals. Making matters tougher, Jenkins himself was sent to the sin bin for a professional foul right before halftime, forcing his team to play with just 12 men.

But instead of folding, Penrith dug deep. Jenkins sparked the comeback before his sin-binning, catching a Nathan Cleary kick and offloading brilliantly for Casey McLean to score.

When Jenkins returned to the field, his teammates had clawed back to within striking distance. Liam Henry crashed over under the posts to tie the game, then Liam Martin pushed the Panthers ahead with another try.

Jenkins sealed the deal with his record-breaking 26th try, a moment his coach Ivan Cleary didn't take lightly. "Rhys Wesser was a try machine and a bit of a legend in our club, so it's pretty cool," Cleary said after the match.

The victory wasn't pretty. Penrith didn't take the lead until the 57th minute and had two players sin-binned during the contest. But sometimes the wins that test you most reveal the most character.

"That was the first time this year when we've had to sort it out and come back," Cleary noted. "We got away with a win and there was some good resilience shown."

Why This Inspires

Jenkins' achievement shows how consistency and dedication pay off over time. His coach praised not just his try-scoring ability, but his all-around game development throughout the season.

Breaking a club record held by a legend takes sustained excellence, not just one brilliant moment. Jenkins delivered week after week, even when his team faced adversity.

The Panthers' comeback also demonstrates something powerful about resilience. Down early, playing shorthanded, and under pressure from rivals, they found a way to win through teamwork and determination.

With his 26 tries, Jenkins is now chasing an even bigger milestone: Dave Brown's 38-try season from 1935. Whether he reaches that historic mark or not, he's already proven that records are made to be broken by those willing to work for it.

Sometimes the sweetest victories are the ones you have to fight hardest for.

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