Penrith Panthers dynasty sends strong message following stunning NRL threepeat Penrith completed the most unbelievable comeback to win the NRL Grand Final.
Penrith Panthers completed their NRL threepeat with a stunning 26-24 comeback win over Brisbane Broncos at Sydney’s Accor Stadium. But this, their third consecutive Grand Final victory, was by far their finest achievement.
They are the first team in forty years to win three successive Australian premierships. They are without a doubt the finest side the NRL has ever seen, and for many Panther supporters, the greatest ever. The disputes will rage on as long as their dynasty lasts, but one thing is certain: the lessons for the rest of rugby league are apparent.
The ability on display in another great NRL Grand Final was incredible, but rugby league is still a sport that values its principles. The Penrith Panthers are a perfect example of this.
Everything Ivan Cleary’s team does is built on dedication. They don’t cut corners. They have a well-honed attack system that is based on their defense. They execute flawlessly in all areas of effort, and each player understands and plays his or her duty. Their success here was not by chance; it was all part of their culture.
And while their systems are so impressive, mentally, they are on another level. The ability to absorb the pressure at 24-8 down was astounding. Let’s put it into perspective: the Brisbane Broncos were on fire. They had just scored their third try of a blistering spell and had built a 16-point lead. They looked destined for glory. Penrith, meanwhile, were down and out. They had no right to win that, but they are a relentless outfit, and they clawed their way back.
The resolve, resilience, grit, and determination on display to do just that was absolutely incredible. Never giving up, they kept on fighting, and they never stopped believing in their processes. That’s the makings of a special team, and make no mistake about it, it’s one built on a solid foundation.
Only 14 of the Penrith Panthers’ Grand Final-winning 17 came through the club system, with 11 of those players also current representatives. There isn’t anything to see here.
Then there’s St Helens in Super League, who had nine of their own kids in their Grand Final victory over Leeds Rhinos last year, and the Rhinos themselves, who developed their own golden generation around a core group of club-produced players. Wigan Warriors are the same as well.
There is a unifying denominator in a salary cap sport: you cannot purchase persistent success. It originates within. Penrith’s five-year plan under Phil Gould was widely criticised, but who is laughing now? The Panthers are obsessed with their system. Other NRL clubs continue to poach from it, but it continues to deliver.
The headliner is Nathan Cleary, but it’s all about the team.
Nathan Cleary has established himself as the top rugby league player in the world over the last two seasons, but that was his best performance to date. He was just great.
