LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
The Penrith Panthers are facing the potential loss of another key assistant coach, with Ben Gardiner reportedly the frontrunner to replace Paul Wellens at St Helens in England.
Peter Lang from 'The Western Weekender' stated that Gardiner is viewed as the "No.1 target" for the club.
Current Saints coach Wellens is under significant pressure following his team's recent 17-4 defeat to Leeds Rhinos, which left them with a disappointing 5-5 season record.
Lang pointed out that Wellens, who had a storied playing career with St Helens and represented England and Great Britain, is struggling to maintain his position, especially after receiving abusive comments from fans and even a physical altercation attempt during a recent match.
Wellens has a coaching record of 47 wins and 29 losses since taking over in 2023, translating to a 62% success rate.
However, his team's current slump marks their third consecutive loss, placing them sixth in the standings and jeopardizing their playoff chances.
They were also eliminated from the Challenge Cup by Warrington, which has become their seventh straight loss to that team across all competitions.
If Gardiner were to leave the Panthers, it would significantly impact head coach Ivan Cleary's preparations.
Since joining Cleary's staff in 2023, Gardiner has been instrumental in the team's success, contributing to their third and fourth NRL premiership wins within four years.
The Panthers have already endured the departure of several prominent players and coaches in recent years.
Notable exits include Cameron Ciraldo and Andrew Webster, who were part of Cleary's coaching team in 2021 and 2022 before becoming head coaches at the Bulldogs and Warriors, respectively.
Webster earned Dally M Coach of the Year honors in 2023, while Ciraldo was a nominee in 2024 but lost out to Craig Bellamy.