For years, I, along with what I’d like to think are the majority of NRL fans, have admired the system at the Melbourne Storm.
Star players would leave, yet replacements seamlessly filled the gaps, allowing the team to maintain its dominance without having to rebuild.
The system came first—players adapted to it, not the other way around. I’d never seen anything like it.
That is, until Ivan Cleary’s Penrith Panthers set the NRL on fire.
Since 2020, the Panthers have reached five straight grand finals, winning four consecutive premierships after their initial loss to Melbourne.
To fully appreciate how incredible this is, consider the demands of the modern NRL season. Each year now consists of 27 regular-season rounds (previously 25, with the COVID-affected 2020 season shortened to 20).
The Panthers haven’t just maintained consistency throughout these long campaigns—they’ve been good enough to show up in the finals, outlast their opponents, and claim the ultimate prize.
In professional sport, that’s no easy feat.
Yet, Penrith has made it look effortless, despite losing key players season after season.
Api Koroisau, Stephen Crichton, Viliame Kikau, Kurt Capewell, and Spencer Leniu are just a few of the big names they’ve farewelled. Even with these losses, the Panthers’ system has remained dominant, with new players stepping in and excelling.
Every year, people (myself included) have questioned whether Penrith finally lost one star too many. And every year, the team has proven the doubters wrong.
But heading into 2025, the challenge may be greater than ever
This season, the Panthers face arguably their biggest test yet, with two of their most influential players, James Fisher-Harris and Jarome Luai, departing. Their absence leaves significant holes in the side—holes that won’t be easy to fill.
So with the season kicking off this weekend, the question is: can Penrith make it five in a row?
The front-row vacancy left by Fisher-Harris remains uncertain, but given Penrith’s track record of forward development, I have little doubt that whoever steps in will do the job.
The bigger concern, as is often the case, lies in the halves.
While Nathan Cleary is, in my opinion, the best player in the game, he still needs a strong halves partner to form a combination with.
Many have tipped Blaize Talagi or Brad Schneider to take on the role, but after watching Penrith’s preseason trial against Manly, Trent Toelau has entered the conversation.
His performance—featuring a try, two try assists, an impressive kicking game, and solid game management—showed that while Luai’s departure is significant, the Panthers may have more depth in this position than expected.
I had serious doubts about Penrith’s ability to maintain their dominance in 2025, but watching their preseason performance changed my perspective.
I’m not someone who reads too much into preseason trials—they don’t always predict regular-season success.
However, they do provide insight into individual players and team systems.
What stood out most to me wasn’t just the performance of certain players but the fact that a Panthers side with minimal NRL experience convincingly defeated a far more experienced Manly outfit.
That speaks volumes about the system Ivan Cleary has built.
So, after all this, do I think the Panthers can win five in a row?
Not only do I think it’s possible, but with key players like Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo, and Dylan Edwards still leading the way, I’d say Penrith is well on track for an historic five-peat.
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