LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
The Penrith Panthers faced a daunting start to the season, highlighted by a devastating loss to Newcastle where they conceded four tries in just 20 minutes.
Initially, this performance led many to speculate they might end the season with the wooden spoon.
However, a transformative State of Origin period has entirely changed the dynamics of their season, propelling them from the bottom of the ladder to sixth place, with an opportunity to secure a top-four finish thanks to a favorable draw.
The Panthers have responded with an impressive streak of four consecutive wins.
Their victories include a hard-fought match against the Eels, a thrilling display against Jarome Luai's Tigers, a surprising upset in Auckland without their representative players, and a narrow 8-6 win over the Bulldogs, which has been touted as one of the best games of 2025.
This perfect June has solidified their status as one of the most formidable teams in the competition.
Coach Ivan Cleary has expressed optimism about the team's recent performance.
He stated, "It's hard to measure it against other years, but I've definitely been happy with this period.
It's very challenging, maybe more so this year (with us) not starting the season well." With another match against the Eels on the horizon, Cleary is eager to see how the team continues to develop and compete in the remaining matches of the season.