In the world of rugby league, where every season is a battle of grit and glory, our journey to a fifth consecutive NRL Trophy is nothing short of legendary. But this year, the stakes are higher. We began our campaign by facing an Ex-Panthers team in the first final, a team captained by a former Panther, who once graced the field under the same colors we wear today. This wasn’t just a match; it was a clash of titans, a test of character, and a preview of what lay ahead in our pursuit of greatness.
What makes this journey so extraordinary is the fact that we’re not simply defending our title; we’re up against teams that have history intertwined with ours. In the second final, we face an even greater challenge—another Ex-Panthers captain-coached team, one that knows the ropes of success just as well as we do. The emotional weight of this match cannot be understated. Every player on that team once knew the pride of wearing Panther colors, once shared the same dream of lifting the NRL Trophy. But now, their ambition is to dethrone us, to claim what we’ve made our own for the past several years.
But here’s the shocking part: we thrive under pressure. These Ex-Panthers teams may know our playbook, they may have the experience, but they’ll never have the relentless hunger that drives us. Every player in our squad is more determined than ever to prove that we are not just a flash in the pan—we are a dynasty. Our 2025 campaign is about more than lifting the trophy; it’s about cementing our legacy as the greatest team to ever play the game.
Our rivals may have the nostalgia of past glory, but we have something far more powerful—an unyielding spirit that refuses to bow to anyone. The fact that we’ve reached this point, not once but five times in a row, speaks volumes about the resilience of our players, our coaches, and our entire organization. We’ve been through the highs, the lows, the injuries, the controversies, and still, we rise. Our performance this season has been nothing short of spectacular, and we’re not about to let that slip now.
We know the Ex-Panthers teams will bring their A-game, but so will we. Every tackle will be harder, every pass sharper, every try more vital. But beyond the physical battle, it’s the mental fortitude that sets us apart. We have the experience, the hunger, and above all, the belief that we are destined for greatness. There is no pressure too great, no opponent too strong, no challenge too tough.
As we step onto the field for our second final against an Ex-Panthers coached team, we know that the path to glory is lined with obstacles. But the history of champions is built on overcoming adversity. We’ve done it before, and we’ll do it again. We are the champions, and nothing, not even former Panthers captains and coaches, will stop us from achieving what we’ve set out to do.
The 2025 NRL Trophy will be ours. CHAMPIONS WILL ALWAYS BE CHAMPIONS.
