Panthers

After a dominant early period Stephen Crichton dived over for the first try of the day to give the Panthers the lead before a try to Joseph Tapine saw the scores locked up.

However, the Panthers took the lead again with a try to skipper Isaah Yeo six minutes out from halftime, before a Nathan Cleary penalty goal made it 14-6 at halftime.

The Panthers picked up where they left off in the second half with Crichton grabbing a double, including a penalty try to seal his hat-trick and put the home side in the box seat.

According to The Sydney Morning Herald, Nathan’s contract has a get-out clause in it that could see the superstar halfback become a free agent if Ivan is sacked before the end of 2027.

The Cleary’s inked eye-watering extensions a fortnight ago which will see Nathan earn $1.1 million per season, while Ivan will become one of the highest-paid NRL coaches on over $1 million a year.

Nathan Cleary is one step closer to playing out his career at the Panthers after he and his father penned new contract extensions with the premiership-winning club on Wednesday.

The pair will remain at the Panthers until at least the end of 2027 after Nathan gained a three-year upgrade on his 2024 contract while Ivan was a free agent at the end of next season but will now remain in charge for another five years.

With Lachlan Ilias looking more comfortable in the No.7 and big game players Latrell Mitchell and Cameron Murray stepping up when their team needed them, the Bunnies broke their drought in style last Friday.

The Panthers, meanwhile, are 3-0 and doing it all without superstar halfback Nathan Cleary, who is expected to be back on deck this weekend at a packed BlueBet Stadium.

The premiers Penrith are adamant gun halfback Nathan Cleary will be given right up until game day to prove he’s good to go for the season-opener against Manly.

But as we know with the champion Penrith and NSW halfback, where there’s a will there’s a way.

Cleary has timed his rehabilitation to the millisecond to the point where there’s every chance he’s out there to take on Tommy Turbo and the Sea Eagles.

Can the Panthers become only the second team in 25 seasons to go back-to-back?

Around 10,000 fans filled the seats at BlueBet Stadium on Saturday to celebrate the club's third premiership win in a grand final parade that started on High Street in the heart of Penrith before moving to the suburban ground.

Most of the Panthers' premiership-winning squad were in attendance to celebrate with their fanbase during the two-hour party, including departing stars Kurt Capewell, Matt Burton and Paul Momirovski.

Meanwhile, the Broncos have a fight on their hands to keep one of their brightest prospects and a Panthers star’s manager wants answers from the club.

RIVALS CIRCLE UNDERRATED PANTHER

Paul Momirovski looks at home at right centre for the Panthers, but the 25-year-old could end up in new colours next season with three clubs reportedly interested in the premiership-winner’s services.

Indi Cleary, the younger sister of Panthers superstar Nathan Cleary, shared an Instagram post of their photo together.

The Daily Telegraph reported the NRL launched an investigation after photos of the badly damaged premiership trophy emerged on social media.

The images show the Norm Provan and Arthur Summons section of the trophy separated from the base and being treated like a baby and put in a children’s stroller and rocked in a shoulder strap.

Or is it simply “destiny” for the Rabbitohs and their departing skipper and coach?

Fox League’s experts have tipped their winner of Sunday’s Grand Final and their Clive Churchill Medallist, while also pinpointing each team’s weakness.

Four experts have tipped South Sydney to win, but eight are backing the Panthers to lift the trophy.

As for the Clive Churchill Medallist, Penrith’s Nathan Cleary leads the way but his teammate Isaah Yeo and Rabbitohs star Cameron Murray are tipped to be in the mix.