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.
5. Liam Martin
Why his role is so important
Liam Martin is one of Penrith's most important strike and momentum players. His power, aggression and relentless energy have been central to the Panthers' ability to dominate big moments, particularly in finals football.
Martin's impact is not just in raw metres or tries, but in how he bends defensive lines, creates quick play the balls and lifts the intensity of the entire side. He brings an edge that few back rowers in the competition can match, combining physicality with timing and strong support play.
When Penrith are rolling, Martin is often at the centre of it, applying pressure through repeated effort and forcing defensive errors through sheer presence.
What needs to improve
In 2025, Martin did not consistently reach the peak level he has shown in previous premiership seasons. He battled niggles throughout the year, which limited his explosiveness and reduced some of the hallmarks of his game.
His offloads dried up, his running metres were down on prior seasons, and while his effort and intent never wavered, the damaging impact that Penrith rely on was seen less frequently.
He still worked tirelessly, defended strongly and competed in every contest, but the sharpness that turns pressure into points was not always there. Martin remains an elite player, but the gap between elite and dominant is where Penrith need him to return.
Why his improvement matters
Penrith's system thrives on momentum, and Martin is one of the players most capable of generating it. With changes to the squad and younger players being asked to shoulder greater responsibility, Penrith need Martin's power and energy to set the tone again.
When Martin is playing at his peak, he forces defensive compression, creates space for Cleary and the edges, and gives the Panthers a physical advantage that is difficult to counter.
His improvement is not about effort or attitude, both of which have always been unquestionable. It is about rediscovering the consistent impact that made him one of the most feared back rowers in the competition and a cornerstone of Penrith's premiership success.
What a great read. I’m not even a Panthers fan and I enjoyed that.
Much appreciated Dave. Was very difficult to get the right 5 players considering how great they are.