NRL: Civoniceva stays with Panthers

SYDNEY - Penrith captain Petero Civoniceva will see out his playing career with the Panthers after re-signing with the NRL club through to the end of the 2012.

The 34-year-old Australian test prop rejected an offer to return to Brisbane, declaring he had unfinished business at the foot of the Blue Mountains after arriving at Penrith in 2008.

"It feels like we're in the process of fullfiling a really strong culture and I'm very close to the boys here at the club ... I think to walk away from that wouldn't have been right," Civoniceva said.

"My family knew how happy I was here and since I've come here I think I've played some of my most consistent football and that's all because of what we're building here."

It was widely believed Civoniceva would return to the Broncos - where he played 215 games from 1998 to 2007 - as he eyed a life post-football, but it now appears as though he has settled down in the Penrith area.

"That opportunity to play in front of my family and friends some last time (in Brisbane was enticing), they've been my best supporters, but again they could see how happy I was here," he said.

Panthers coach Matt Elliott said it was imperative the club retained the veteran if the club was continue pushing towards a premiership.

"There has been a fairly strong philosophy running through our game in the past that you're better off letting them go a year early rather than a year too late," Elliott said.

"They let their senior players go with consequences on and off the field.

"I really believe that if we didn't work hard to keep Petero it certainly would have been a year too early, maybe two, maybe three."

- AAP