Penrith star Luke Lewis is confident success is just around the corner for the NRL club and is happy coach Matthew Elliott will be around to savour it.

Elliott signed a contract extension on Wednesday keeping him at the Panthers until the end of the 2011 season.

The two-year deal ends speculation over his future after reports late last year suggested he would be sacked.

A sharp reversal in form, and more importantly team harmony, has seen Elliott receive an endorsement to see out the strong foundations he has built since joining in 2007.

And Lewis, one of the few remaining members of the Panthers' 2003 premiership team, believes the club is on track to return to the top of the competition with the youth Elliott has blooded since arriving.

"He has been doing everything right by the team and he has been just putting the team first," said Lewis.

"To get a new deal out there and secure himself for another two years is awesome.

"He's brought all the young players through and if he can stick around and get the accolades for bringing the young guys through that'll be awesome.

"All the young blokes that are there now are used to winning (premierships) through SG ball and Harold Matthews Cup and they've brought that feeling back to the first grade squad and top 25 players."

Elliott met with the club board at the end of last season after the Panthers faded out of finals contention, losing five of their last six games.

After his review it was decided the board would re-assess Elliott's future after the opening few months of the 2009 NRL season.

While Penrith have won just three of seven games this year, two of those wins were against premiers Manly and ladder leaders Gold Coast.

The Panthers have also been in a position to claim victory in all of those games, beaten late by a 14-man Bulldogs side and falling to Melbourne by a dubious penalty.

Elliott said he was delighted to have his future sorted so early in the NRL season so he could now focus on a charge to the finals.

"I'm absolutely delighted and honoured to be given the opportunity to continue to contribute to this great club," Elliott said in a statement.

"I have complete confidence that the foundations for long-term success have been established and excited by the prospect of being part of the organisation's future.

"In particular, with the current playing group I know there is the opportunity to be not only involved in something special, but also enjoy a professional, hard working and fun (working) environment.

"As an affirmation of my commitment to the players it is my intention not to make any further comment regarding this matter so as to not create any possible distraction to the team."

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