They turned the primary crew in 40 years to win three premierships in a row – now the Panthers have been unanimously tipped to win a historic fourth title.
In what must be a primary, gamers from the 13 NRL golf equipment that didn’t journey to Las Vegas mentioned on Friday Penrith deserved high billing heading into the brand new season.
Not even the losses of Stephen Crichton and Spencer Leniu would halt the Ivan Cleary juggernaut, in line with gamers polled contained in the Telstra constructing on George Avenue.
Panthers co-captain Isaah Yeo was flattered by the overwhelming response, however advised this masthead: “It’s a good rap to listen to that from the opposite golf equipment, but it surely’s most likely the simple reply, too, as a result of we’ve received a number of.”
As for his greatest menace, Yeo mentioned: “I’ll say the Broncos as a result of they’re in an analogous boat to us in 2020 after we misplaced [a grand final]. They’ve acquired the pack, an skilled backbone and X-factor.
“They’ll be actually good once more. You simply need to ensure you recover from that final recreation, settle for what occurred and settle for what it is advisable to work on. That’s what we did effectively as a bunch.”
Gamers attend Friday’s launch on the Telstra constructing in Sydney.Credit score: Ben Symons/SMH
Three-time Panthers premiership winner and new Canterbury captain Crichton mentioned of attempting to cease Penrith: “They’ve been the perfect the previous few years – they’ve been in grand finals the previous 4 years – and having come from there, and understanding how arduous they prepare, it’s going to be a large activity going up in opposition to them.”
One other premiership winner squeezed out of the membership, Api Koroisau, who’s now skipper of the Wests Tigers, mentioned: “The way in which they’ve set themselves up, the tradition, the gamers they’ve introduced collectively, Stephen Crichton is a giant loss, however they’re a juggernaut in the meanwhile. I wouldn’t be shocked in the event that they’re there once more.”