Penrith and Canberra have both re-signed exciting young players on the eve of their NRL qualifying final on Saturday night.

The Panthers have announced contract extensions for forwards Sam McKendry and Joseph Paulo, while the Raiders' Joel Thompson has committed his future to the Green Machine.

Kiwi prop McKendry has signed a four-year extension that will keep him at the foot of the mountains until the end of the 2015 season while Paulo's deal is for the next two seasons.

"Sam is a player who is becoming more and more noticed. It was important to us to keep him at the club long term – he provides a lot of go forward for the team," Panthers CEO Michael Leary said on Friday.

Meanwhile Thompson has agreed to a two-year extension which will keep him at the Raiders until the end of 2013.

The 22-year-old centre/backrower has had a strong season in the nation's capital but a groin injury just three weeks ago cut short his season.

Thompson was a member of the talented 2008 Toyota Cup premiership-winning Raiders side which also included Josh Dugan, Jarrod Croker, Travis Waddell, Shaun Fensom, Daniel Vidot and Michael Picker.

"We've got a great bunch of blokes here at the club and we all love playing together and there's a feeling we can have plenty of success if we all stay together," Thompson said.

"I didn't really want to go anywhere. Obviously we had that team back in 2008 which won the competition and we've all decided to stay here and try and win one at NRL level now."