LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
The Penrith Panthers are a rugby league team that has captured the hearts of their town.
The close bonds between the players and the community are evident everywhere you look in Penrith.
From the emotional image of Jarome Luai's son crying in a barber's chair, eagerly awaiting his grandpa's return, to the sporting goods store where coach Ivan Cleary used to buy boots for his son Nathan, the connection runs deep.
Nathan Cleary, the star halfback, even has a favorite restaurant in town that he named after signing his long-term deal with the Panthers.
The pride and support for the team are visible in the black, yellow, red, and green (and pink) streamers that adorn the shops on Penrith's High Street.
The library proudly displays signs above its doors, and even the council fences are decorated with Panthers-themed decals.
Visitors to Penrith can expect to see Panthers fans and paraphernalia everywhere they go.
The excitement is palpable as the team prepares for their NRL preliminary final against Melbourne, with the possibility of making their fourth-straight grand final appearance the following week.
The anticipation and buzz around town are growing as the Panthers strive to make history.
Source: The Guardian