NRL: Penrith Panthers profile

Penrith Panthers are gunning for their third premiership on the bounce and only the Brisbane Broncos can stop them from achieving a historic three-peat.

The Panthers have been the dominant team in the NRL over the last few seasons and have peaked at just the right time in the 2023 season.

We are set for a very tight and exciting NRL grand final, as without doubt the best two teams of 2023 have made it through to the big dance, and on Sunday night one will be crowned premiers.

The Panthers are the hot fancies and, all things considered, that comes as no real surprise.

Let’s take a closer look at Ivan Cleary’s men.

What	Penrith Panthers v Brisbane Broncos
Where	Accor Stadium, Sydney
When	18:30 (AEST), Sunday 1st October 2023
How to watch	Channel 9, Foxtel, Kayo
Odds	Penrith Panthers 1.62, Brisbane Broncos 2.30

Route to the grand final

The Panthers did not get their 2023 NRL campaign off to a great start, but as the season progressed they got into their stride.

They ended up losing just six games all season to claim the minor premiership just ahead of Brisbane.

Penrith carried their strong form at the end of the regular season into finals, and in the end breezed into the grand final.

The New Zealand Warriors were put to the sword 32-6 in the opening game of finals and then the Panthers smashed Melbourne Storm 38-4 in the Preliminary Final.

Surely it will be a much tighter game against the Broncos, and the Panthers can be backed at 6.00 to win by either 1-5 or 6-10 points.

Play-off history

The Panthers have dominated in recent seasons, winning the last two grand finals.

They also made the grand final in 2020, only to lose that one to the Storm.

Since 2014, Penrith have only missed out on finals on two occasions, but their first premiership since 2003 only came in 2021.

In total the Panthers have won four premierships and have finished runners-up on two occasions.

Key players for the Panthers

As you would expect, the Panthers have a side packed with quality and have threats all over the park.

When it comes to scoring tries, Brian To’o is the main man for the Panthers these days, having scored 66 during his Panthers career.

The winger has made 22 appearances this season, scoring 21 tries, and can be backed at 2.20 to score a try at anytime in the grand final.

There are some outstanding fullbacks in the NRL, but the Panthers have one of the very best in the form of Dylan Edwards.

Nathan Cleary continues to be one of the standout playmakers in the NRL and, with Jarome Luai alongside him, they formed a fearsome partnership in the halves.

Cleary’s kicking game is usually spot on and will be crucial once again in the grand final against the Broncos.

In the forwards, once again The Panthers are also blessed with plenty of quality in the forwards, with captain Isaah Yeo hugely influential at lock.