On Thursday night the four-straight Penrith Panthers flexed to defeat the high-flying, first-placed Canterbury-Bankstown in an epic battle out at Parramatta.
While some have already put a line through them in 2025 – the Panthers are still breathing.
They’re starting to find their mojo.
An unlikely fifth-straight premiership is a long way away but at least it’s back on the map.
Here’s the ten most influential players of the Panthers dynasty so far.
Honourary mentions: Stephen Chricton, Viliame Kikau and Mitch Kenny
10: API KOROISAU
DYNASTY YEARS: 2021-2022 [53 GAMES]
TWO PREMIERSHIPS
Joining the Panthers from Manly-Warringah for 2020, the enigmatic rake helped steer a bright-eyed Penrith to the grand final, only to go down to the Storm. The Panthers, with Koroisau calling the shots from dummy half, alongside Cleary and Luai, would go on to win their first two premierships of the run. The NSW State of Origin representative would then leave to take up a monster contract with Wests Tigers.
9: SCOTT SORENSEN
DYNASTY YEARS: 2021-CURRENT [92 GAMES]
FOUR PREMIERSHIPS
One of the true unsung heroes and a favourite of Panthers fans, also now has four premiership rings to his name. The Kiwi International has started in the second row in Penrith’s last two grand final victories.
8: MOSES LEOTA
DYNASTY YEARS: 2021-CURRENT [109 GAMES]
FOUR PREMIERSHIPS
The Kiwi and Samoan International has been a cornerstone of the Panthers engine room and started in the front row throughout their historic run. His partnership alongside fellow enforcer James Fisher-Harris makes them the greatest front row pair of the modern game. Scored a try in Penrith’s incredible win over the Broncos in 2023.
7: LIAM MARTIN
DYNASTY YEARS: 2021-CURRENT [102 GAMES]
FOUR PREMIERSHIPS
Another current squad member with four premierships. A hard-nosed, ferocious second rower from country NSW, Martin’s intensity over the years has kept the Panthers pack chugging along.
6: JAMES FISHER-HARRIS
DYNASTY YEARS: 2021-2024 [93 GAMES]
FOUR PREMIERSHIPS
One of the best big men in the modern game. Almost never put in a poor performance at the Panthers and kept his best footy for September. After years of service at the foot of the mountains, the hulking tyro returned to his native New Zealand to see out his career with the Warriors.
5: JAROME LUAI
DYNASTY YEARS: 2021-2024 [91 GAMES]
FOUR PREMIERSHIPS
The ying to Nathan Cleary’s yang. Luai’s ability at five-eighth over many years to beat defenders in traffic and create havoc on one side of Penrith’s attack was the perfect foil for the likes of Yeo, Edwards and Cleary. Left at the end of 2024 to take up the captaincy at the battling Wests Tigers.
4: BRIAN TO’O
DYNASTY YEARS: 2021-CURRENT [93 GAMES]
FOUR PREMIERSHIPS
The pocket-rocket tank from St Marys has become one of the most important players in Penrith’s incredible journey thus far and will play an immense role if the Panthers can continue their rise up the ladder in search of an unlikely fifth-straight premiership. Despite giving up height to his opposing winger almost every single week, To’o continues to churn out monster metres in what has already been a glittering career.
3: DYLAN EDWARDS
DYNASTY YEARS: 2021-CURRENT [102 GAMES]
FOUR PREMIERSHIPS
Could have very easily slotted Edwards, Yeo or Cleary in at number one on this list as you could argue that all three are as important as each other. On top of his four titles, Edwards won the 2022 Clive Churchill Medal and has since replaced James Tedesco as the premier custodian in the NRL.
2: ISAAH YEO
DYNASTY YEARS: 2021-CURRENT [110 GAMES]
FOUR PREMIERSHIPS
While his teammates have ended up on many YouTube highlight reels over the journey, most of the work you don’t see has generally begun with Yeo in the middle of the ruck. The big lock’s ability to release offensive assaults in heavy traffic with deft passing and changes of direction has made it far easier for his halves and fullback to take opportunities on the outside. Of the top 10, Yeo has played the most games.
1: NATHAN CLEARY
DYNASTY YEARS: 2021-CURRENT [84 GAMES]
FOUR PREMIERSHIPS
The architect and two-time Clive Churchill Medal winner with Cleary’s defining grand final moment coming in the final stages of the 2023 grand final win over the Broncos. Battled through injury last season but returned in round 20 to pilot the Panthers to their fourth crown. Struggling with injury again this season but was the difference against the first-placed Bulldogs on Thursday night at CommBank Stadium.
