The Penrith Panthers have promoted Ben Harden to work as Ivan Cleary’s assistant coach in 2026 after two-time premiership-winner Ben Gardiner left to join the Perth Bears. Gardiner had worked as one of Cleary’s right-hand men alongside Peter Wallace since 2023, helping the Panthers win two of their four-straight premierships (2023 and 2024).
But Gardiner has left the Panthers to work in the same role under Mal Meninga at the Bears ahead of their entry into the NRL in 2027. To fill the void left by Gardiner, the Panthers have promoted their NSW Cup coach Harden to NRL assistant coach.
Wallace will remain in 2026 and work alongside Harden as one of two assistants under Cleary. Peter Lang of The Western Weekender in Penrith reported the news on Sunday, while also revealing that Jersey Flegg (Under-21s) coach Jono Rolfe is expected to switch to another role in the Panthers’ pathways system. It means the Panthers will have to find new head coaches for their NSW Cup and Jersey Flegg teams.
Ben Gardiner departs Panthers to join Perth Bears
Gardiner announced back in June that 2025 would be his last season with the Panthers. The experienced coach also leads the Samoan national team, and will link up with Meninga to prepare for the Bears’ inaugural season in 2027.
“I can’t wait to work closely with new people in Western Australia and build a hugely successful team over the next five years as we promote rugby league and grow the game,” Gardiner said. Meninga added: “I look forward to Ben helping us to build a club and culture which will set the Bears’ future on the right path. He has worked with some great clubs and teams, at premiership and representative level, and he also has Bears DNA to add to his prolific experience.”
Gardiner was head coach of the North Sydney Bears from 2015 to 2017 when the team was a feeder club for South Sydney. He was also on Michael Maguire’s coaching staff when Souths won their drought-breaking premiership back in 2014.
He began his career as a strength and conditioning coach at the Sydney Roosters and has also worked at Cronulla and the Wests Tigers. He’s also held roles with the City Origin team and New Zealand’s national side. He was head coach of the Tigers for one game in 2022 when Tim Sheens was unwell.
“I have had a close relationship with the North Sydney Bears for a number of years where I was able to coach the NSW Cup team and work in coaching and recruitment, as well as with the women’s team,” Gardiner said. “These experiences allowed me to understand what makes that great club tick. These foundations need to be synergised into the Perth Bears to grow a collaboration of new and old.”
Panthers have lost multiple assistant coaches to bigger roles
Perth Bears CEO Anthony De Ceglie said: “We’re extremely excited to have Ben join the team. He’s a winner who’s renowned for his football knowledge and hard work ethic. This is another important milestone as we ensure the Perth Bears lay the right foundations for future success.”
Gardiner’s departure comes after former assistants Cameron Ciraldo and Andrew Webster went on to become head coaches – with the Bulldogs and Warriors respectively. Gardiner is viewed as the long-term successor to Meninga in Perth.
