After experiencing a painful exit from the finals, Penrith Panthers' Liam Martin shares how it felt watching last year's grand final.
He recalls the "bitter experience" of being sidelined, expressing a sense of disappointment. Martin said, "It was different, having been there for a number of years, and then to watch it as a fan was a bit bitter."
Other players echoed similar sentiments. Dylan Edwards watched from his car during the second half, while Moses Leota could not even remember if he had tuned in. "I didn't like watching it. I'd rather be there," Edwards mentioned.
The team's group chat was unusually quiet, a stark contrast to Reece Walsh's extraordinary performance against Melbourne that day. "Just dead silence," Martin described the atmosphere among the teammates as they reflected on the lost opportunity.
Nearly a year after their preliminary-final defeat to Brisbane, the Panthers are hoping to channel that disappointment into motivation for this month's finals series.
For five consecutive years from 2020 to 2024, Martin, Edwards, and Leota participated in rugby league's grandest games. Last year's abrupt end to their four-year premiership streak left a mark on the team.
Martin emphasized that the painful loss sparked a renewed desire within the squad. "That loss certainly burned desire within us," he said, highlighting the addictive nature of success and the team's mutual motivation to improve.
The impact of last year's finals exit also resonates with younger players on the team. Eight members of the 19-man squad for the upcoming qualifying final against the Sydney Roosters have yet to win a title.
Young centre Casey McLean remarked on the strange feeling of seeing a different team hoist the trophy last year. He stated, "It also just showed the greed of wanting to win was still there." McLean affirmed their unwavering commitment to triumph, insisting the desire to succeed remains strong.