Who is Luke Sommerton? Penrith Panthers hooker returns to NRL fold after 2023 debut

Joshua Mayne

Who is Luke Sommerton? Penrith Panthers hooker returns to NRL fold after 2023 debut image

Luke Sommerton will make just his third NRL appearance on Friday night when he lines up at hooker for the Penrith Panthers.

With regular dummy-half Mitch Kenny serving a ban after breaching the league's code of conduct with an Instagram post, Sommerton has been given the nod for the match against the Melbourne Storm.

Soni Luke – who can also play at hooker – is currently listed on the bench.

There were reports in the offseason that Sommerton had signed a new deal with Penrith, but as it stands, he is not officially part of the club's top 30 squad.

He is expected to earn a contract upgrade in the near future as the Panthers continue life without Api Koroisau

MORE: NRL casualty ward – All the latest injury news

Who is Luke Sommerton? Bio, stats for Panthers hooker

Sommerton made his NRL debut for Penrith in Round 24 last year, becoming the club's 617th first grade player.

He has progressed through the lower grades over the past few years at the foot of the Mountains and is reaping the rewards.

The 23-year-old played SG Ball for the Roosters, before toiling away in Ron Massey Cup for St Mary's for a number of years before pushing his way into NSW Cup for the Panthers.

Sommerton starred in the No. 9 jumper in reserve grade last season.

In a niche statistic that could offer an insight into his playing style, Sommerton ran for over 1,000 metres last season in the lower grades – more than any other player in his position. 

Friday night's match in Melbourne will mark his third first grade appearance.

Luke Sommerton 2023 NSW Cup stats

Games 22
Tries 7
Try Assists 4
Offloads 9
Avg. Run Metres 74m
Avg. Tackles 29.7
Tackle Efficiency 90%

Penrith Panthers NRL injury, suspension list

PLAYER ISSUE RETURN
Scott Sorensen TBC TBC
Sunia Turuva Leg Round 1
Jarome Luai Shoulder Round 1
Mitch Kenny Suspension Round 2

Joshua Mayne

Joshua Mayne Photo

Joshua Mayne is a content producer for The Sporting News Australia based in Sydney, Australia. He has previously worked as a newsreader at 2SER and journalist at Ministry of Sport. While Joshua’s main passions are football, rugby league, basketball and F1, he will watch any sport that's on. He is still waiting for Arsenal to win the Premier League again.