Penrith Panthers 2025 season preview
2024 recap
The Panthers made it four straight Premierships in 2024, becoming the first team to achieve that feat since St George in more than 60 years.
The only blots on their copybook were a defeat in the World Club Challenge and a second-placed finish in the NRL regular season, but none of that really matters when it comes down to it, as they secured the biggest prize when it counted, in the Grand Final.
2024 position: 2nd (Beat Melbourne Storm 14-6 in the Grand Final)
Key signings
Isaiah Papali’i (Wests Tigers), Blaize Talagi (Parramatta Eels)
Key departures
Jett Cleary (New Zealand Warriors), James Fisher-Harris (New Zealand Warriors), Isaiah Iongi (Parramatta Eels), Ativalu Lisati (Melbourne Storm), Jarome Luai (Wests Tigers), Francis Manuleleua (Newcastle Knights), Taylan May (Released), Tyrone Peachey (Retired), Sunia Turuva (Wests Tigers)
Players to watch
Blaize Talagi has big boots to fill in the number six jersey following Jarome Luai’s departure. The 19 year-old had a breakout year with the Eels in 2024, but this will be a step up for the talented teenager. There’s a chance he doesn’t even get the number six jersey anyway with Jack Cole looking to stake his claim as well. If that’s the case, expect the versatile Talagi to get plenty of minutes elsewhere in the back line.
With four Premierships, three minor Premierships, three Origin series wins and a World Cup, the only thing left for Nathan Cleary to achieve is the Dally M medal. Not that he needs it to confirm his status as the world’s best halfback and arguably the best player in the world, full stop. The biggest challenge for Cleary in 2025 is to maintain his standards and not get complacent, but there shouldn’t be much danger of that.
Young gun
With Sunia Turuva now gone, Casey McLean will be pushing to take his spot on the wing. The 18 year-old crossed for three tries in seven games last year, and looks the most likely candidate to take Turuva’s place in the starting side.
Our prediction – 2nd
It’s hard to see anything other than a top two finish again for the Panthers this year. Admittedly they’ve lost some big names like Jarome Luai and James Fisher-Harris, but they’ve been losing big names every year for the past few seasons and they still keep winning. Eventually they’ll tail off at some point, but I can’t see it happening any time soon.
