LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
Penrith's recent victory against Canterbury served as a powerful reminder of their unmatched prowess in the league. Despite the challenge of finding fresh ways to discuss the Panthers, their impressive 46-26 triumph over the Bulldogs demands attention.
While the Bulldogs aim to emulate the Panthers, they showed only glimpses of this aspiration during the season. However, Penrith's latest performance highlighted that they remain in a league of their own.
The rivalry between these two teams is intensified by the presence of several former Panthers now playing for Canterbury, which lends a personal touch to their encounters.
These fierce personal rivalries have often pushed the Panthers to excel throughout the season, but the level of inspiration witnessed in this match was unprecedented.
During the first half, Penrith's six tries were so extravagant that it almost felt wrong to watch. The excitement could have warranted a warning akin to those shown before intense films on television.
Their play exhibited all the signature elements of classic Panther football-power, focus, meticulous attention to detail, and a ferocious defensive mindset that could be deemed extreme in other contexts.
Key players such as Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo, and Brian To'o were central to the action, showcasing the level of skill that has earned them legendary status as the Panthers maintained a perfect record, completing their first 27 sets of six without error.