The Mole's 2023 Panthers season preview: History looming for primed Penrith
No team since Jack Gibson's mighty Eels of 1981-3 has won three straight premierships and it will be a massive task for the Panthers following the loss of key personnel.
Back in the era of the Eels, there was no salary cap and rival clubs didn't peck away at the club the way they have with the Panthers.
Penrith still has a mighty roster - probably the best in the NRL, a wise coach in Ivan Cleary and plenty of depth to cover injuries and State of Origin - so they could easily achieve the feat.
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Ivan Cleary (left) and son Nathan after the Panthers won the 2022 NRL grand final. Mark Kolbe/Getty Images
2022 finishing position: Premiers
Gains: Luke Garner (Wests Tigers), Tyrone Peachey (Wests Tigers), Zac Hosking (Broncos), Jack Cogger (Huddersfield).
Losses: Apisai Koroisau (Wests Tigers), Viliame Kikau (Bulldogs), Isaiya Katoa (Dolphins), Robert Jennings (Dolphins), J'maine Hopgood (Eels), Sean O'Sullivan (Dolphins), Charlie Staines (Wests Tigers).
Best 17:
Dylan Edwards
Brian To'o
Stephen Crichton
Izack Tago
Sunia Turuva
Jarome Luai
Nathan Cleary
Moses Leota
Mitch Kenny
James Fisher-Harris
Luke Garner
Liam Martin
Isaah Yeo
Soni Luke
Scott Sorensen
Spencer Leniu
Zac Hosking
Tyrone Peachey when he last played for the Panthers in 2018. Getty
Best buy
Luke Garner played some good footy for the last-placed Tigers last season so on the basis of that alone, he'll be a handy buy for the premiers.
Biggest loss
Api Koroisau will be a massive loss for the premiers - even in the World Club Challenge, their attack looked flat without him. Mitch Kenny is a solid player but lacks Koroisau's brilliance out of dummy half.
Greatest strength
The leadership of the most dominant player in the NRL, Nathan Cleary, a strong top 17 and plenty of depth gives the Panthers a really good shot at winning yet another title.
Biggest question mark
The loss of strike players Koroisau and Viliame Kikau brings the Penrith pack back to the field a bit. They haven't been able to replace either with players of similar quality and could suffer as a result.
The Panthers celebrate with the NRL Premiership Trophy after victory in the 2022 NRL grand final. Getty
Man under pressure
With Koroisau gone, Mitch Kenny needs to take his game to a new level to keep the Panthers on track for a third straight title.
Predicted 2023 finishing position: Premiers
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