Panthers 2023 outlook: Premiers on the prowl for three-peat but will salary cap put bite on title chances?

The closest we have seen to perfection in a long time. Love them or loathe them, there is no denying the domination of the Panthers.

One of the most youthful sides in the competition have continuously knocked over any opposing arguments about age being a problem, and are on their way to creating a dynasty. Appearing in the past three grand finals the Panthers head into the 2023 season as deserved back-to-back premiership holders.

They finished the 2022 regular season at the top of the ladder with 20 wins from 24 games, and never really looked like being troubled. Four games slipped through their fingers – but none that really mattered.

The path to the trophy

Once again the benchmark of the competition, there is not a lot standing in Penrith’s way for repeated premiership glory. They have the skill, flare, fitness and depth in spades, with the right amount of youthful arrogance. They took out the title in all three grades last season – everyone permanently wears sunglasses at the foot of the mountains because the future looks so bright.

And the team list. My goodness, it reads like a ‘best of’ side.

Led by 2022 Dally M Captain By the Year Isaah Yeo, the Panthers skipper has also emerged as one of the game’s best number 13s, taking out Lock of the Year the past three seasons.

He’s part of an engine room that will again be envied by the competition, with muscle like James Fisher-Harris and Moses Leota out to cause damage once more. Mitch Kenny becomes the top hooker after Api Koroisua’s departure, while Scott Sorensen is expected to fill the shoes of Belmore-bound Vilaime Kikau.

They are brilliantly steered around on and off the field by one of the most famous surnames in rugby league. Head coach Ivan Cleary has turned his troops into one of the most feared teams in the competition, while his son Nathan is one of the most talented halfbacks the NRL has seen, playing with instincts and a kicking game well above his 25 years. Forming a solid partnership in the halves with longtime teammate Jarome Luai, the dynamic duo will once again get the team to the pointy end of the season.

The backs play like forwards, doing the hard yards early on in the set. Stephen Crichton will lift another level to ensure he leaves the club with a third grand final ring, and players like Brian To’o and Izack Tago will once again cause headaches for the opposition. And of course, there’s the 2022 Clive Churchill Medal winner Dylan ‘safe as houses’ Edwards.

But you know what else it is about these guys? They love their footy. Like, genuinely love their footy. And when you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life. They play like they are having fun in the park, and the results will once again speak for themselves.

The danger signs ahead

Not many.

While Koroisau and Kikau are big losses to the premiers, their absence is by no means the reason the team will fail. As they proved when Matt Burton and Kurt Capwell left at the end of 2021, the Panthers have enough talent coming through to replace pretty much anyone that moves on.

Except in the coaching box. While Cleary Snr now has a gold-standard rating, 2023 may be the year we see exactly how much he relied on his old right-hand man, Cameron Ciraldo. The former Penrith assistant coach is now the newly appointed Bulldogs head coach, and many believe he was a big secret to their success.

While undeniably gifted in attack, topping the list for tries scored with 122, the Panthers are a brick wall when it comes to defence, all thanks to Ciraldo. They conceded the least amount of tries in 2022 with just 64, and always managed to frustrate their opposition and starve them of possession and opportunities.

When Phil Gould was at Penrith, he wouldn’t accept Ciraldo’s resignation when he tried to quit while assisting former head coach Anthony Griffin, because he knew what an asset Ciraldo was. And now he has that asset on his side once more, signing the rookie head coach on a five-year deal with the Bulldogs.

What those players do during training – or who won’t be there for those sessions – could be a big factor for their demise this season.

The other issue is more obvious – staying at the top. What goes up must come down. While the team sheet for the Panthers remains impeccable, can they go bigger and better or have they hit their limit?

The draw

The Panthers will enjoy a fairly relaxed draw, with the majority of their games having a seven days or more turnaround.

They kick off with two home games against the Broncos and Souths at the start of the season, followed by a week off with their first bye. Their second and third byes fall perfectly for the premiers, both a week before Origin I and II.

They do however play most of the big guys twice throughout the year, up against the Bunnies again in Round 8, along with the Storm, Roosters, Eels and Cowboys.

The key trio: Nathan Cleary, Dylan Edwards, James Fisher-Harris

Cleary will once again be the glue that holds everything together. His ability to control the game, seemingly having the ball on a string will once again strengthen the Panthers premiership hopes.

Edwards is the ‘Mr Reliable’ fullback that every coach wishes he had out the back. No self-preservation, always puts his body on the line to take the catch and is willing to run into the defensive line as if he had a higher number on his jersey.

Then there is Fish. One of the toughest competitors in the game, he leads from the front and expects nothing less from the rest of his forward pack.

Player under pressure: Nathan Cleary

The man with the power is also the one with the pressure. Nothing but perfection will be expected from Cleary, and that’s a lot to carry.

The hidden gem: Luke Garner

Tigers fans were devastated when Garner signed with the Panthers, with many predicting this underrated workhorse could earn himself a Blues jersey this year.

Coach’s safety rating

Back-to-back premierships and Penrith have signed him for ten years – he is super-duper safe.

Premiership odds

There is no surprise that the Panthers are the favourite to take out the title once more, coming in at just $4 with PlayUp

Predicted finish 

Sorry Panthers fans, but I disagree with the betting odds. I see your team falling one game short of a fourth grand final appearance, getting knocked out in the preliminary finals.