LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
Penrith coach Ivan Cleary knows that sometimes you have to look back to move forward, just like a halfback scanning the field for the perfect pass.
While the Broncos may be keeping mum about their NRL grand final loss last year, Cleary felt it was necessary to revisit the game for a particular reason.
The Panthers are in a constant battle to hold on to their star players, just like a prop battling it out in the scrum.
Cleary is aware that keeping strike centre Taylan May may prove to be a challenge as rival clubs start to circle the promising young gun.
Despite the inevitable player turnover that comes with achieving success, the Panthers have become the benchmark team of the competition by winning three straight NRL premierships.
This winning streak gives Cleary and his team a different perspective when reviewing last year's grand final, unlike the Broncos who are still licking their wounds.
Cleary, who has openly admitted that the grand final loss to Melbourne in 2020 fueled his team's impressive run, emphasized the importance of studying last year's game in their preparations.
"We refer to the grand final in the preview for the game because it's the last time we played them," Cleary said confidently.
Although the idea of a rematch may add an extra layer of intensity to the upcoming clash, Cleary revealed that his team has not focused on that aspect.
As they gear up to face their grand final adversaries once again, the Panthers are ready to leave it all on the field and continue their winning streak with the same determination as a fullback chasing down a breakaway try.