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In just the second NRL match of his career, Penrith rookie Mitch Kenny recorded a mammoth 58 tackles during Thursday's win over Manly.

Penrith rookie Mitch Kenny may have played his best and last game of the season due to NRL red tape, admits coach Ivan Cleary.

Kenny was one of the Panthers' best in their desperate 15-12 win over Manly on Thursday, recording a mammoth 58 tackles in just his second appearance.

But the Panthers hooker, who turns 21 next week, may have his birthday week ruined due to the league's stringent 30-man roster rules.

Penrith had to apply for an exemption to field Kenny in both games following a shoulder injury to Wayde Egan in round nine.

But Egan's scheduled return for next week's clash with the Sydney Roosters means Kenny will be forced to drop back down to reserve grade.

"A bit of an anomaly in the system we have at the moment, that a kid like that won't be able to keep playing," Cleary said.

"But we'll just see how that one pans out. He's certainly shown that he's more than capable. I look forward to getting him many more games in the future."

Cleary has deployed both Egan and Sione Katoa as the starting No.9 at various points throughout the opening 11 rounds, with mixed results.

But he tossed Kenny the starting gig against the Sea Eagles, and the Windsor junior delivered with an impressive 80-minute effort.

"He just plays the same way every week. He trains the same way. He's the same every day. He just comes in with a good attitude and does his best," Cleary said.

"He goes looking for work, makes his tackles. I don't think he made a mistake around dummy-half tonight. Did exactly what we asked of him."

What didn't impress Cleary was the sin-binning of five-eighth Jarome Luai after he slapped the back of Jack Gosiewski's head following his high shot on Brian To'o.

Gosiewski was also binned in an incident that sparked a minor melee.

"I didn't think there was anything in that. Honestly, it was handbags. Seriously. I thought there were some strange decisions tonight," Cleary said.

"I suppose one of each (went to the bin), but I thought it hurt us more than them.

"I suppose (Luai) shouldn't have done it, but I seen that happen a lot of times in a lot of games. But nothing really happens."

On another sour note for Penrith, prop Tim Grant could be looking at a lengthy spell on a sidelines with a suspected left pectoral tear.