Dare they dream of five? Why Panthers should be favourites to win the 2025 NRL premiership

OPINION

Before the Panthers dynasty in the NRL era, no team had ever won four consecutive premierships but after another incredible grand final triumph dare Penrith dream of five? The Panthers looked as hungry as ever for success in Sunday's 14-6 victory over Melbourne in the NRL decider.

The Penrith dynasty has been built on hard work, mateship and an insatiable desire for success. In winning the 2024 premiership, Penrith has now become the most successful team of not only the salary cap era but also the limited tackle era - which began with the introduction of four tackle sets in 1967 after the Dragons won a record 11 consecutive premierships. And despite losing key members from the 'four-peat' - James Fisher-Harris, Sunia Turuva and Jarome Luai - the Panthers still have all the key pieces to be favourites to win again next season.

The Panthers are no strangers to losing top talent, with the likes of Spencer Leniu (Roosters), Stephen Crichton (Bulldogs), Jack Cogger (Knights) and Zac Hosking all leaving following Penrith's 2023 triumph. Before that, Api Koroisau, Viliame Kikau, Matt Burton, Kurt Capewell, Wayde Egan and J'maine Hopgood all left following grand final glory and the Penrith unit will only lose three players from their grand final winning side after this season.

Speaking ahead of the 2024 grand final success, Panthers coach Ivan Cleary said the key behind his side's prolonged success is having a strong leadership group to nurture those coming into the first grade team. "We've tried to form a system that's not so much about the individual players but how they all connect together," Cleary told reporters last week.

"We are lucky enough to have some outstanding leaders in our club, they can pass on the standards to the younger players. We are also a development club, we pride ourselves on bringing young players through. Apart from that, it's probably just good luck."

The key leadership group of Dylan Edwards, Brian To'o, Luai, Nathan Cleary, James Fisher-Harris, Isaah Yeo and Liam Martin has allowed for youngsters such as Izack Tago, Paul Alamoti, Liam Henry and Brad Schneider to come into the team and shine. And despite losing two key members from that core group next season, the Panthers have made some savvy acquisitions for 2025 and still have irreplaceable experience within their ranks from the past four seasons of NRL glory.

Panthers arguably as strong if not stronger in 2025 than 2024

Much of the talk ahead of the 2024 grand final was around 'one last ride' for the Panthers. But I believe next year they will be as strong if not stronger than this tear.

For next season the Panthers lose Luai, Fisher-Harris and Turuva. But they have signed Isaiah Papali'i (Wests Tigers) and Blaize Talagi (Eels), both massive acquisitions.

There have been mixed reports about where Talagi will line up with one line of thought being he will replace Luai at five-eighth. Talagi's signing is a huge coup for the Panthers, with the young Eel a revelation in 2024. He was Parramatta's best throughout the year and his potential is sky-high.

The other option is for him to play on the wing and be a direct replacement for Turuva. The Panthers winger will head to the Tigers next season after a strong 2024 campaign but it could be easily argued that Talagi will do as good of a job if not better for Penrith. The Panthers also have ready-made replacements for Luai in Brad Schneider and Jack Cole if Talagi plays on the wing.

While in the front row, there is no sugarcoating the fact that Fisher-Harris is a massive loss. There are only a handful of forwards in the league of the Kiwi international's ilk. He is among the elite forwards in the game, in the company of Payne Haas, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Addin Fonua-Blake and Mitch Barnett, and his leadership qualities cannot be understated.

However, the Panthers have signed devastating back rower Papali'i, who will either come straight into a starting spot or could be used as an impact player off the bench. He could also potentially be transformed into a prop. But most likely Lindsay Smith will be given the starting nod in Fisher-Harris' place, while Liam Henry could also get a spot in the starting front row next to Moses Leota. And I wouldn't rule out the possibility of the Panthers trying to sign another prop before the season gets underway.

Panthers and Storm steps ahead of the chasing pack

Away from the losses, the Panthers also have a host of young talent who will be another year more experienced and accustomed to the high standards at the foot of the mountain. Mitch Kenny, Brad Schneider, Alamoti, Tago, Henry, Smith and the McLean brothers Jesse and Casey all have bright futures and have another year under their belts.

While staying at the top is even tougher than getting there, it is hard to see a side other than Melbourne getting the better of them next year. The Roosters lose several key members for next season, while the Sharks don't appear to quite have the killer instinct needed to make the next step, although they will be boosted by the acquisition of Fonua-Blake next season.

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The Broncos and Rabbitohs will almost certainly be in finals next season but don't have the all-around quality required to likely dethrone Penrith. The Sea Eagles as always will look threatening in attack but their hopes are defined by if Tom Trbojevic stays fit. The Bulldogs showed in 2024 that they have the defence to compete but not a potent enough attack, while the opposite is true for the Cowboys. The Warriors will almost certainly improve on their 2024 seasons but not enough to reach the level of the Storm and Penrith.

While the Knights, Raiders, Dolphins and Dragons all show glimpses of brilliance on their day but aren't consistent enough to make a run to the title. And the Tigers, Eels and Titans continue to find ways to self-destruct. So despite the desire from almost the entire football world away from Penrith fans for a new champion, the winner in 2025 will again likely be either the Storm or Panthers.