Penrith Panthers season review in 2023
In The Sporting News’ pre-season preview of Penrith, the topic of how the Panthers could improve on perfection after winning back-to-back premierships was raised.
They found a method to do so after winning the minor premiership and become the first team in NRL history to win three successive titles. When you think this side has reached its peak, they continue to defy expectations as the winning machine at the foot of the mountains shows no signs of slowing down.
The Sporting News delves into the Penrith Panthers’ season below.
Did the Panthers outperform or underperform in 2023?
Penrith’s pursuit of perfection proved to be their most challenging hurdle throughout their golden era, with a large target affixed to their backs.
A disappointing start to the year, which saw them slip to a shock defeat to St Helens in the World Club Challenge while losing two of their opening four matches in the NRL, had many believing the Panthers were coming back to the pack. Their sustained period of success had finally started to take a toll, so the narrative went, with the salary cap pressures trimming their squad after the departures of Api Koroisau and Viliame Kikau. However, the Panthers put any doubt about their chances of a three-peat to bed in a strong surge of form that resulted in an eight-match winning streak towards the end of the regular season.
Penrith were unstoppable in the finals season, with dominating wins over the New Zealand Warriors and Melbourne Storm, until their dynasty nearly came crashing down in front of their eyes during an exciting grand final clash against Brisbane.
With 20 minutes remaining in the final, the Panthers’ prospects of becoming the first team in four decades to win three straight premierships were all but dashed.
Then Nathan Cleary came up to cement his place in rugby league history and deliver arguably their most spectacular title to date.
Despite being burdened with the league’s highest level of expectation, the Panthers once again outperformed.
When did things go wrong for the Panthers in 2023?
The Panthers lost in golden point to the Saints in the WCC before their season opener against Brisbane. Taylan May suffered a season-ending injury during that game, and they were then beaten 13-12 at home by the Broncos in the NRL season opener.
The Panthers ended a two-match losing skid with a hard-fought win against the Bunnies, only to be edged 17-16 by Parramatta, who were seeking payback for their grand final loss in 2022.
Three defeats in four games to start the year with them all being by one point was difficult to stomach and provided Penrith with their first real test to their credentials for years. It’s fair to say, they rose to the challenge. The best period to be a Panthers fan in 2023 The Panthers have made such a habit of winning during their four-year spell at the pinnacle of the competition that they may even have caused some of their fans a type of winner’s fatigue. The long winning streak to end the season as minor premiers and the charge into their fourth straight decider through two imposing displays in the finals would have been candidates for the best period.
From appearing like it was all over to mounting the greatest comeback in NRL grand final history to secure a record fourth straight premiership, the Knights have done it all.
It may never get any better for a fan base in terms of pure excitement and unbridled joy.
Nathan Cleary is a shining light.
You could pick almost the entire team after they all contributed significantly to Penrith’s title run.
Dylan Edwards was as steady as ever at the back, Stephen Crichton was explosive, Brian To’o scored 16 tries in his final 12 games, Sunia Turuva was named Rookie of the Year, and Jarome Luai was his usual zippy self.
Liam Martin was named to the Dally M Team of the Year for his performance, Scott Sorensen became a starting backrower, Mitch Kenny reveled in his newfound responsibility at hooker, Isaah Yeo was the side’s compass, and Moses Leota and James Fisher-Harris once again formed the engine room’s most fearsome duo.
But there is no disputing that their halfback will be remembered as the hero following his heroic performance in the dying moments of the grand final to secure victory for his team.
He only appeared in 19 games during the regular season due to Origin obligations and a hamstring ailment.
Despite this, he received 42 votes and may have won the most coveted individual award if he had been able to get on the field a few more times.
Will the Penrith Panthers become better in 2024?
The Panthers constantly finding new ways to win, so there’s no reason to believe they can’t put their names in history with a fourth straight championship.
“We’ll give four in a row a real shot,” Leota told AAP immediately after their win over the Broncos.
“After this big party, we’ll go back to the drawing board, train hard, and take it from there.”
“It (four in a row) hasn’t been done in a long time and not in the NRL era. The sky is the limit for this team.”
It’s not a case of whether the Panthers will improve next year, as it’s more to do with can any side improve enough to stop them?
Penrith Panthers player movements 2024 Gains: Brad Schneider, Daine Laurie, Paul Alamoti
Losses: Stephen Crichton, Spencer Leniu, Jaeman Salmon, Jack Cogger
Unsigned: Chris Smith, Eddie Blacker, Tom Jenkins
