Penrith Panthers 2024 season review
Overview
2024 was the Panthers’ year…again. They’re the first side to win four straight premierships since the St George side of the 50s and 60s, and it’s hard to see who will stop them.
Remarkably, they didn’t spend a single day on top of the ladder in 2024, and seven defeats in the regular season was their worst return since 2019 when they finished all the way down in 10th.
Still, if I’m looking to find hope for the other NRL clubs, then I’m really clutching. When finals time arrived, Penrith clicked into gear as they always do at that time of year.
In week one, their superb first half display against the Roosters, effectively sealed the game before the break. They went on to win 30-10, before a relatively comfortable 26-6 win over the Sharks in week three.
That record-breaking win made it 11 straight finals victories, and number 12 came on the biggest stage of all. An incredible defensive effort kept Melbourne Storm’s deadly attacking weapons quiet, as the Panthers sealed a 14-6 victory.
Remarkably, they haven’t lost a finals match since their Grand Final defeat to the Storm in 2020, and seven members of their Grand Final team this year have yet to lose a finals match.
The records just keep tumbling for Penrith, and a sixth straight Grand Final appearance in 2025 looks a distinct possibility.
Highs
The Grand Final is the obvious place to start, and the Panthers’ 14-6 win was arguably against the toughest opponent they’ve faced in their incredible winning streak.
As for other results, there are too many to mention, but a special shoutout should go to Penrith’s defence, which was the best in the NRL for a fifth straight season.
And when it comes to individuals, where do I even start? Liam Martin capped off a fantastic 2024 to win the Clive Churchill Medal in the Grand Final. This followed on from a superb Origin series for him too.
Jarome Luai was an immense presence in his final year at the Panthers, and he really stepped up to the plate when halves partner, Nathan Cleary, was out injured.
Brian To’o posts incredible numbers on such a regular basis that he almost goes unnoticed on the left wing, but to average 196 metres per game is quite frankly ridiculous. I haven’t even mentioned Dylan Edwards, Isaiah Yeo or Nathan Cleary yet.
But one last mention should go to all those Panthers players on the fringes, and Brad Schneider springs to mind. With Cleary missing a large chunk of the season through injury, Schneider made 14 appearances and more than played his part alongside other unsung heroes like Daine Laurie, Lindsay Smith and Luke Garner.
Lows
Low points were in short supply for the Panthers in 2024, but as mentioned before, seven defeats was somewhat unexpected. Two of those came against a resurgent Melbourne, and the second of those made it three home losses in 2024.
They also started 2024 with a 16-12 loss to Wigan in the World Club Challenge, so despite all their domestic success, they still haven’t claimed a WCC title yet.
Nathan Cleary’s injury problems were another low point and they raise concerns for 2025, while Taylan May’s sacking early in the year was an unwanted distraction.
Regardless, whatever’s thrown at Penrith, they just take in their stride and bounce back. Cleary’s absence allowed Jarome Luai to flourish, while May’s departure opened the door for Paul Alamoti, and his Grand Final display was up there with any of his teammates.
Reasons to be positive in 2025
In a nutshell, four straight premierships. The Panthers are the team to beat, yet again, and what amazes me is that despite all the talent they’ve lost over the past few years, the winning machine continues.
Jarome Luai, James Fisher-Harris and Sunia Turuva will all be big losses next year, but that’s unlikely to hold them back too much.
Blaize Talagi is heading over from the Eels, and the likelihood is he’ll replace Luai in the halves. If so, I’m looking forward to seeing how he gets on alongside Nathan Cleary, as he proved himself one of the most exciting rookies in the NRL this year.
My 2024 prediction – 1st
Final 2024 position – 2nd (-1)
The Panthers were always likely to be first or second this year, so I’m not too upset about being one position out. The levels this team have reached over the past few years are astounding, and I’m expecting a top two finish again next year.
