The Penrith Panthers 2025 season was one of resilience rather than dominance.

After sitting last on the ladder after 12 rounds, the Panthers rallied to finish seventh and still pushed all the way to a preliminary final, where they were narrowly beaten by eventual premiers Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium. The second half of the season saw Penrith regain defensive steel, finishing as the best defensive side in the competition across the back end of the year.

However, cracks were exposed. New combinations on the edges, increased workload on Nathan Cleary, and a younger roster adjusting to life without long-serving enforcers highlighted areas that need improvement. If Penrith are to return to the summit in 2026, these five players play critical roles.

2. Casey McLean

Why his role is so important
Casey McLean was fast tracked into Penrith's backline earlier than planned after the club lost depth following off field issues elsewhere and the departure of senior outside backs in recent seasons. That acceleration meant McLean was asked to play heavy minutes in high pressure defensive systems while still learning the tempo and demands of week to week NRL football. Penrith rely heavily on their centres to hold shape, trust the inside men, and shut down opposition shifts.

When that system breaks, it exposes the entire edge. McLean's size, speed and finishing ability give Penrith genuine strike out wide, but his role is just as important without the ball. He is a key structural defender in a side that has been built on line speed, trust and discipline.

What needs to improve
McLean's biggest improvement area is consistency, particularly in defensive decision making. There were periods in 2025 where he was excellent, showing strong reads, physical contact and confidence in holding his line. There were also games where hesitation, rushed decisions or over commitment led to defensive pressure on the Panthers' edge.

His tackle efficiency sat lower than Penrith's usual standards, and opposition teams were happy to test that area repeatedly. Offensively, his confidence fluctuated across the season. When he backed himself, he looked every bit a future elite centre. When confidence dipped, his involvement reduced. The physical tools are there. The next step is bringing the same intensity and clarity to every match, not just in patches.

Why his improvement matters
Penrith's system is built on trust and repeatable defensive standards. When one edge is targeted, it forces extra work from the middle and limits how aggressively the Panthers can apply their line speed.

McLean's improvement in consistency would allow Penrith to defend with greater confidence across the park and free up Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo to control games without constantly managing defensive risk. Offensively, a confident and involved McLean gives Penrith another genuine strike option, reducing the load on Cleary and allowing the Panthers to attack both edges with balance.

If McLean takes that next step, Penrith become harder to contain, harder to target, and far closer to the complete side that has defined the modern era.

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