They’ve seemingly overcome the NRL’s built-in anti-dynasty safeguards like the salary cap, and could well fulfil Phil Gould’s prediction in 2023 that they will win five or six in a row.
The nearest contemporary team in a major professional sporting league with a record roughly like the Panthers is Manchester City, the all-conquering, all-hated Goliath of the Premier League.
Though they’d never admit it, V’landys and co must be quietly hoping that 2025 is the year someone – anyone – finally ends the Panthers’ dream run.
Since 2021, the NRL has been asking one question: “Who can beat the Panthers?” Every year, the answer has been the same: no one.
Record revenue, record TV viewership, record crowds, a booming women’s game, an eight-figure surplus, an international game that’s starting to look half-decent.
