Win-Loss: 17-7
Ladder Position: 2nd
Finals: Premiership
Attack: 24.17 (6th)
Defence: 16.42 (1st)
Longest Win Streak: 5 (R18-23 and R26-GF)
Longest Loss Streak: 2 (R24-25)
Best Win: Grand Final: 14-6 v Melbourne
Worst Loss: Round 25: 22-18 at Canberra
Season Review
Highlights: A fourth straight premiership and fifth straight Grand Final elevated Penrith to rare air, arguably topped only by the never before, never again Dragons.
The Panthers maintained their record as the best defensive team in the premiership even as their attack sometimes faltered.
Nathan Cleary’s legend continued to rise while Dylan Edwards was justly rewarded with NSW and Australian jerseys and the emergence of Lindsay Smith almost nobody saw coming.
Winning it all though – no team had a highlight as important as that.
Lowlights: The continued exit of stars was a downer for Penrith fans with Jarome Luai and James Fisher-Harris the latest stars to move on.
The Taylan May saga ended predictably in disaster and his dismissal from the club.
Nathan Cleary’s health was again a concern with the star halfback missing over half the season.
Losing the World Club Challenge – again – was a disappointment, and missing out on the minor premiership was a minor disappointment.
What Worked: Few teams in history have got their timing as down-pat as the Panthers with Penrith once-again peaking for the finals.
They remain the best defensive team and their ability to crank that up a level in the finals once again proved critical with the Panthers conceding just four tries in three finals appearances.
Penrith’s kick return sets up everything and Dylan Edwards and Brian To’o ranked at or near the top in both metres run and tackle breaks.
Penrith’s discipline and ability to stick to a game-plan showed no signs of dissipating.
What Didn’t: Penrith’s luck with backup/fill-in halves ran out this year.
After lucking out with Sean O’Sullivan and Jack Cogger, Brad Schneider was a bust while Jack Cole only showed flashes.
Penrith struggled with their centres all year and they were particularly poor defensively on the right, especially by their standards.
Betting Stats
ATS: 14-14
Over/Under: 11-17
Head-to-Head Return: +2.17 units
Three Betting Notes:
- Penrith went 6-3 against the spread against Top 4 opposition.
- The Panthers remain a great bet off a loss, covering five of six off a defeat.
- The under was 6-1 when Penrith played interstate.
Personnel
Best Player: Isaah Yeo
Next Best: Dylan Edwards, James Fisher-Harris
Most Disappointing Player: Taylan May
Next Most Disappointing: Brad Schneider, Izack Tago
Top Tryscorer: Sunia Turuva (17)
Top Assist Merchant: Jarome Luai (13)
Top Tackle Breaker: Dylan Edwards (6.53 per game)
Top Metre Eater: Dylan Edwards (223.94m per game)
Top Tackler: Mitch Kenny (41.76 per game)
Best Buy: Paul Alamoti
Worst Buy: Brad Schneider
Best Rookie: Casey McLean
Player Ratings
| Player | Season Grade (Out of 10) |
| Paul Alamoti | 5.5 |
| Nathan Cleary | 8.0 |
| Jack Cole | 3.0 |
| Dylan Edwards | 9.0 |
| Matt Eisenhuth | 3.5 |
| James Fisher-Harris | 8.5 |
| Luke Garner | 5.5 |
| Mavrik Geyer | 2.5 |
| Liam Henry | 6.0 |
| Isaiah Iongi | 3.0 |
| Mitch Kenny | 5.5 |
| Daine Laurie | 4.5 |
| Moses Leota | 7.0 |
| Jarome Luai | 7.0 |
| Soni Luke | 2.0 |
| Casey McLean | 4.5 |
| Jesse McLean | 2.0 |
| Liam Martin | 8.0 |
| Taylan May | 1.0 |
| Luron Patea | 0.5 |
| Tyrone Peachey | 1.5 |
| Preston Riki | 0.5 |
| Brad Schneider | 2.5 |
| Lindsay Smith | 7.0 |
| Luke Sommerton | 2.5 |
| Scott Sorensen | 6.5 |
| Izack Tago | 5.0 |
| Trent Toelau | 3.5 |
| Brian To’o | 7.5 |
| Sunia Turuva | 6.0 |
| Isaah Yeo | 9.0 |