The elusive premiership three-peat is far from fantasy for the Penrith Panthers in 2023 according to club icon Greg Alexander despite significant player turnover.
Penrith is in a unique position as just the second club in the NRL era to go back-to-back and could be the first to complete a hattrick since the Parramatta side of 1981-83.
However, the losses of Viliame Kikau and Apisai Koroisau have left some wondering if the team at the foot of the mountains will carry the same force in 2023.
Alexander, who captained Penrith to their maiden premiership in 1991, told theย AAPย he does not believe this to be the case.
"When you look at the Penrith side there's probably eight or nine players who are in the top two or three in their position throughout the league," Alexander said.
"All clubs that have had success have struggled to hang onto players. We lost two last year and we lost two again this year."
Following the 2021 premiership win over South Sydney, the Panthers lost the services of Origin stars Matt Burton and Kurt Capewell.
"When you have so many players that can demand top dollar for their position, it's very hard to keep them," Alexander continued.
Penrith have recruited the likes of edge forwards, Luke Garner and Zac Hosking for next season as well as returning versatile utility, Tyrone Peachey to the club that helped him win an Origin jersey back in 2018.
The Koroisau-sized hole at dummy half is a major change from Penriths' last two campaigns, but Alexander believes that 24-year-old Mitch Kenny can fill the void.
"Mitch did a great job starting through the finals series and late in the year," he continued.
"He's fit, he's tough, he's got a good passing game coming out of dummy half."
Soni Luke is another option at hooker after the 26-year-old St Marys junior made four appearances from the interchange last season.
