Penrith's remarkable start to the 2026 season presents a level of success unlike anything they've achieved before, blending fear and awe.
As they navigate through five rounds, the Panthers stand alone as the only undefeated team in the NRL.
Rather than merely being seen as favorites for the premiership, they project the aura of a team destined for glory, seemingly lightyears ahead of any possible challengers.
While similar dominance has characterized previous Penrith squads, the scale of their 2026 performance marks a distinct evolution.
The statistics reflect this extraordinary dominance, illustrating the best start to any season in NRL history.
No other team has come within 20 points of them, with the Panthers averaging an impressive 38 points scored per game while allowing only eight.
Winger Thomas Jenkins leads the charge with 12 tries over five matches, a record-breaking feat for any player in the opening weeks of an NRL season.
If he secures a double against Canterbury on Thursday, Jenkins will surpass the record for most consecutive braces.
He stands poised to eclipse Dave Brown's single-season milestone of 38 tries, though he may settle for breaking Alex Johnston's NRL era record of 30.
Last week's crushing victory over Melbourne, ending 50-10, marked a historic moment as it was the first time the Storm had conceded such a scoreline in 23 years.
Previously, when this had occurred, Craig Bellamy was just a few games into his illustrious coaching career.
Penrith's demolition of Melbourne serves as a stark reminder of their power, capping off a series against last year's preliminary finalists, with an astonishing combined score of 102-16.