Many of the Penrith Panthers have been playing league together since they were juniors, and some say that's why they're on a winning streak. Having risen up the ranks together, they've moulded their play into an unstoppable force.
2020 has been the year of the Penrith Panthers.
Despite being one of the youngest and least experienced sides in the NRL, they've beaten every team that's come before them this season.But this winning culture isn't new, it's something that was created in their teens."In the under 20s we had a real good streak going but never anything like this, I am super grateful to be playing in such a close group with no egos," said half-back Nathan Cleary.
Cleary's got a solid history with five-eighth Jarome Luai, and between them they're an unstoppable halves pairing."He brings that energy and [he's] always got a smile on his face, I just have to create a bit of space for him and he does the rest.""The form that Nath is in, he is really killing it and has really taken the team by the neck," Luai said.Cleary and Luai were part of the young Panthers that won the junior comp in 2015, and were runners up in 2016.
Penrith prides itself on investing in its juniors and the club's $22 million academy has helped entice new talent. "When a player comes here and looks at this club and then looks at what's on offer at other clubs we can say we have the best facilities in the country," Cameron said.Scott Sattler was part of the Panthers' premiership winning team in 2003 and says there are parallels to today's team."It's amazing how this year replicates the year we won the competition, much like what happened in 2003," Panthers premiership winner Scott Sattler said.
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