**Penrith to Go from Bottom to Finals: History Shows Panthers Can Bounce Back**
The Penrith Panthers have a storied history in the NRL, and while their 2025 season may have started slower than expected, history proves they have what it takes to stage a dramatic comeback. A team that has faced adversity before, the Panthers have consistently demonstrated the grit, depth, and resilience needed to rebound from tough spots—and even challenge for the premiership.
In 2019, Penrith finished 10th after a rocky campaign, but within a year, they had turned things around spectacularly. The 2020 season saw them go on a record-winning streak, finishing minor premiers and making it to the Grand Final. That marked the beginning of a golden era, with the club claiming back-to-back premierships in 2021, 2022, and 2023. This shows a pattern of resilience and rapid improvement when the chips are down.
The current squad still boasts a strong core of experienced players and young talent. The likes of Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo, Dylan Edwards, and Brian To’o remain vital assets. Their leadership, combined with Ivan Cleary’s steady coaching, ensures the team maintains the structure and culture that made them champions. Even in a slump, few teams are as capable of stringing together a late-season surge.
Another factor working in Penrith’s favor is their defensive discipline and conditioning. Historically, they’ve had one of the NRL’s best defensive units, and even during losses, they rarely concede blowouts. That foundation is critical when building momentum in the latter stages of the season. Teams that defend well can quickly climb the ladder once their attack clicks into gear.
The NRL has seen teams come from the lower end of the table to make the finals before—the 2009 Parramatta Eels and the 2017 North Queensland Cowboys being prime examples. The Panthers, with their winning pedigree and strong systems, are arguably even better positioned than those teams to do the same.
In short, Penrith may be down, but they are far from out. Their recent history shows that with grit, smart coaching, and the right mindset, they can recover and storm into finals contention. Don’t count them out just yet—Panthers fans know better than to give up on a team built for greatness.
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