NRL coach-in-waiting Ivan Henjak believes prop Nick Kenny's hard slog to be a regular first grader will reap more rewards after his re-signing.

And the club's former front row favourite Shane Webcke said yesterday that Kenny's attitude and commitment made him a terrific signing with his best football still ahead of him.

"He's a bloke who just hates to let anyone down and he gets very dirty if he does," said Webcke.

"What's refreshing about Nick is there was no fanfare about money, just a genuine desire to be at the club."

Webcke's work ethic has rubbed off on Kenny who credits the former Test and Origin forward with helping develop his game. Kenny has played 21 games this season.

With Origin prop Ben Hannant heading to the Bulldogs, he has a chance to claim a starting role in 2009 when Henjak takes over from Wayne Bennett.

"One thing about Nick is he has a wonderful work ethic and attitude, he's really professional with his preparation," said Henjak who likes the improvement he's seen in the 26-year-old's game in the past two seasons.

With five players announcing their intentions to play elsewhere in 2009 - the most recent being Kiwi international Greg Eastwood - Kenny's decision is welcome news at the Broncos.

Kenny said yesterday he'd never considered playing for any other club and revealed he had leadership aspirations with the Broncos.

"I really wanted to stay here and ideally I'd like to finish my career here," said Kenny, whose deal keeps him at the Broncos for 2009 with an option for 2010.

"I never wanted to go to another club. This is my sixth year, and it's only the last two years I have been playing regular first grade and I've really loved being a part of the team.

"There are some guys leaving next year and I would like to push for a run-on spot - that's what my personal goal is and what I'm hoping to achieve next year."

Henjak said Kenny, who was captain of the club's reserve grade side from Toowoomba, possessed the qualities needed to achieve his goals.

"I think Nick has a lot of good leadership qualities which is something we definitely need in our forward pack," said Henjak.

"We had the opportunity to let him go, he was off contract, but we wanted him to stay.

Henjak said Kenny really appreciated his place in the team because he had fought so hard to get it.

"Some guys who get it easy sometimes switch on and off but Nick doesn't do that because he's had to fight for everything he's got which I admire him for," he said.

Kenny is battling an ankle injury but is in no doubt for Sunday's clash with the Bulldogs.

Virus victims Darren Lockyer and Justin Hodges were back on the training paddock yesterday which was more good news for Brisbane, who hope to snatch a top four spot and a home final.

Meanwhile, Penrith will hold off booking Kiwi backrower Frank Pritchard in for season-ending shoulder surgery until their NRL finals prospects have been decided.

Pritchard was yesterday diagnosed with a biceps tendon injury in his left shoulder. It prevented the reportedly disgruntled star from returning to the fray in Monday's big loss to Melbourne and has ruled him out of Sunday's match against the New Zealand Warriors.

The injury requires surgery, but Panthers medical officials say they will attempt to manage the injury in the hope Pritchard could play the last round against Manly should the Panthers still be alive in the race for the top eight.

Penrith face the Warriors in a virtual elimination final in Auckland on Sunday, with the loser to bow out of finals reckoning.

On top of the injury to the left shoulder, Pritchard is already facing a reconstruction to his right shoulder as soon as the Panthers season comes to an end.

AAP