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Opinion
As we all know Professor James Fisher-Harris boldly declared this Panthers team ‘the greatest of all time’.
While we can bicker and argue for days and days about how grubby Jarome Luai is, or whether the 2003 team is better than the 2021 team, you know what’s even better? A list.
Who doesn’t love a list? A best of list. It’s long overdue.
So this list, in honour of the Right Honourable Professor Fish-Har, is the best ever Panthers team selected from their four premiership winning grand final teams (1991, 2003, 2021, 2022).
To prevent the inevitable arguments (most likely from Professor Jenny Fromme-Penney, The Deane of Penrith University) I’ve come up with some criteria for selecting the best ever Penrith grand final team.
1. Clive Churchill (CC) Medallists automatically receive a high distinction (with one exception)
2. Dally M Players of the year receive a distinction for their performance across the entire season (with loads of exceptions)
3. Multiple try scorers in the grand final also get a credit towards their final grade.
I should also note: 91 the CC medal went to Brad Clyde. Clydey was as good as they come, but c’mon guys just give it to Royce.
1. Dylan Edwards: Clive Churchill Medalist 2022
2. Brian To’o: Winger of the Year 2021 and two tries in 2022 decider
3. Matt Burton: Oh how soon we forget. Burton was Dally M Centre of the Year in 2021.
(Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
4. Stephen Crichton: Oh be quiet. I know Crichton played winger in 2021. But he scored a try in both grand finals and he played centre in 2022 so if that doesn’t make him eligible, then I’m Joe Vitanza.
5. Luke Rooney: Two tries in the 2003 triumph.
6. Brad Izzard: Unable to choose between Steve Carter, Preston Campbell and Jerome Luai, I instead plucked for Brad Izzard. He not only saved a potentially match winning try with a one on one strip on Laurie Daley, but he also crossed the stripe. Not bad for a benchy. He also got a bonus point for the biggest hit in history on poor Benny Elias. It’s brutal. So after missing the first round of selection, he is in the team through the Jenny Fromme-Penney Scholarship Program.
7. Nathan Cleary: Dally M Halfback of the Year and Clive Churchill Medalist 2021
Nathan Cleary. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
13. Isiah Yeo: Dally M Lock of the Year 2021 and 2022 and Captain of the Year 2022
12. Viliame Kikau: Dally M 2nd Rower of The Year 2021 and 2022
11. John Cartwright: Dally M 2nd Rower of the Year 1991
10. James Fisher-Harris: Dally M Prop of the Year 2022
9. Royce Simmons: A savage call as Luke Priddis also got CC in 2003. But Royce was a former captain who played his entire career at Penrith. I mean, come on. Priddis ONLY set up two tries and scored one. Roycey scored two including running over Lazzo. So he’s in.
8. Paul Clarke: The hardest one to pick. Noddy gets the guernsey because he was voted Penrith’s best and fairest in 91 and played over 20 games in each of his four years. Not the biggest name of graduates, but definitely worthy.
14. Greg Alexander: Dally M Halfback Of The Year 1991
15. Moses Leota: Cause he was just brutal in 2022 and let’s face it in 2021 Grand Finals
16. Liam Martin: For starting ahead of the 2021 Dally M 2nd Rower Of The Year.
Yeah well and his efforts in the 2022 decider
17. Kurt Capewell: let’s just pretend he didn’t go to the… I can’t even say their name
Ivan Cleary: Dally M Coach Of The Year 2021
Look halfback was brutally hard. Brandy was 1991 Dally M Halfback of the Year (Mick Potter Player of The Year) and Captain.
Craig Gower was another captain who was leading the Dally M scoreboard with one round to go and likely to take out the top prize in 2003. Well except that the Dally Ms were cancelled. No, really. The Players Association threatened to boycott the night due to a pay dispute. Rhys Wesser was the Leading Tryscorer with 24 in 2003. Alan McIndoe achieved the same feat with 19 in 1991. So Rhys, Alan and Craig all make the 2nds.
Mark Geyer was ruled ineligible for being sin binned in the 1991 decider. I think he punched Bill Harrigan or ran over him with a cement truck or something. So it’s the 2nds for you, MG
Scott Sattler is an automatic second team selection for that tackle.
1. Rhys Wesser: Leading try scorer in 03
2. Alan McIndoe: Leading try scorer in 01
3. Ryan Girdler: cause we need a goal kicker
Ryan Girdler after the Panthers’ NRL grand final win in 2003. (Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images)
4. Izack Tago: Cause I refuse to pick Col Bentley or Paul Momorovski
5. Grahame Mackay: Pulled off a brilliant try saving tackle on Paul Martin that saved the game for the Panthers. Also the 2nd goal kicker in the team.
6. Preston Campbell: even though we clearly don’t need a goal kicker, Preston booted two. And he was pretty handy in general.
7. Craig Gower: cause Brandy is in the first team
13. Scott Sattler: THAT tackle
12. Joe Galuvau: Formed a deadly combo with fellow “Hair bear” buddy Tony Puletua
11. Mark Geyer: cause he’s MG
10. Joel Clinton: He had a boss year in 2003 culminating in his selection for the Kangaroos
9. Luke Priddis: So unlucky to miss out to Royce
8. Tony Puletua: named in best ever Panthers team for 50 years. Could easily swap him in for Noddy if you’re one of those heartless, mean-spirited types
14. Barry Walker: A rugged bloke who started in 91 ahead of the Dally M 2nd Rower Of The Year
15. Paul Dunn: Cause he’s Paul Dunn, I need a prop on the bench and I refuse to pick Martin Lang
16. Luke Lewis: He should he another well duh, but he was a winger in 2003 and after that he became, well, Luke Lewis. Had he been Luke Lewis by 2003, well that’s another story.
17. Scott Sorenson: No you shut up. He was great off the bench in 2021 and even better in 2022. Another alumni from the Fromme-Penney Scholarship Foundation.
Coach: John Lang. Cause he’s not Phil Gould.
Ladies and gentlemen, I present the Panthers Paternal Identification Grand Final Graduation Teams 1 and 2.
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