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.

4. Dylan Edwards

Why his role is so important
Dylan Edwards established himself as the benchmark fullback in the competition over recent seasons, overtaking James Tedesco and earning selection at State of Origin and Test level for Australia. His durability, toughness and relentless work rate have been central to Penrith's dominance.

Edwards' ability to churn through metres on kick returns, absorb contact and get Penrith's sets started has been a foundation of their territorial control. When the Panthers' defensive system functions at its best, forcing opposition teams to kick from deep, Edwards is the primary beneficiary, consistently producing elite yardage and momentum.

As his career progressed, Edwards also evolved into more than a workhorse, improving his positioning, ball playing and influence in attack. His combination with Nathan Cleary has been built over more than a decade and remains one of the most important relationships in the Penrith side.

What needs to improve
While Edwards' raw numbers in 2025 remained strong, the overall influence on matches did not match the heights of previous seasons. Under the eye test, he was not as potent or decisive, particularly during Penrith's poor start to the year and across the Origin period.

Teams put him under increased pressure, and his impact in last line defence was not as reliable as it has been in the past, with missed tackles and defensive lapses appearing more frequently. His attacking involvement also dipped at times, with fewer moments where he asserted himself as a genuine strike option rather than a support runner.

Edwards has put his body through enormous punishment over Penrith's extended period of success, often playing through injury, and the cumulative toll may be beginning to show. For Penrith to return to their best, Edwards needs to execute with greater consistency, sharpen his defensive decision making, and reduce the errors that crept into his game in 2025.

Why his improvement matters
Penrith's system is at its most effective when Dylan Edwards is dictating the rhythm from the back. His ability to combine elite work rate with attacking involvement takes pressure off the halves and allows the Panthers to control field position for long stretches. With a younger group of players coming through the squad, Edwards' consistency becomes even more important.

He remains one of the elite players in the competition, but getting back to his peak form is critical if Penrith are to support the development of their next generation and reassert themselves as the dominant force of the modern era. When Edwards is at his best, Penrith are harder to contain, more resilient under pressure, and far closer to the standards that delivered multiple premierships.

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