BRILLIANT!!! Jack Cogger Speaks From the Heart: “Penrith Is Home — I’m Back Where I Belong!”
In a stunning and emotional announcement that’s sent waves of excitement through the NRL community, playmaker Jack Cogger has officially confirmed his return to the Penrith Panthers, signing a three-year contract that will see him don the black, white, and teal until the end of the 2028 season.
Standing before a packed media room at BlueBet Stadium, Cogger’s smile said it all. After a brief but eventful stint away, the 27-year-old halfback declared that coming back to Penrith felt like “coming home.”
> “Penrith is home — I’m back where I belong,” Cogger said, his voice filled with emotion. “This club means everything to me. The people, the culture, the fans — it’s something special. I’m beyond thrilled to be back in these colours.”
Cogger, who played a vital role in the Panthers’ 2023 premiership campaign, became something of a cult hero among fans after his composed performances during Nathan Cleary’s injury absence that season.
His tactical kicking, calm under pressure, and leadership in crucial moments proved that he could thrive in Penrith’s high-octane system.
After leaving the club to pursue new challenges, Cogger spent time refining his game, gaining valuable experience that he now brings back to a Panthers side hungry for continued dominance.
> “I learned a lot during my time away,” Cogger admitted. “Different systems, different coaching styles — all of it’s helped me mature as a player and as a person. But when the opportunity came up to come back here, it just felt right. This place shaped me. It’s where I’ve played my best footy.”
Head coach Ivan Cleary couldn’t hide his delight at the reunion.
> “Jack’s one of those players who just gets what this club is about,” Cleary said. “He’s a hard worker, a team-first guy, and he’s proven he can step up when it matters. We’re thrilled to have him back in the mix.”
Fans, too, have taken to social media in droves to welcome Cogger back, flooding timelines with messages like “Welcome home, Cogs!” and “Once a Panther, always a Panther!”
While the Panthers have already cemented themselves as one of the NRL’s modern dynasties, Cogger’s return adds yet another layer of depth and experience to a side brimming with confidence.
As for Cogger himself, he’s focused not on the past, but on what lies ahead.
> “I’m here to give everything I’ve got — for my teammates, for the jersey, and for the fans. Penrith isn’t just where I play — it’s who I am.”
With his signature on the dotted line and his heart firmly back in the foot of the mountains, Jack Cogger’s homecoming promises to be one of the stories to watch in the seasons to come