2. 2020 Season

In a word: Excellent! Don't let the Panthers opening 40 on Grand Final day take too much away from what was a record-setting 2020 season.

Losing only one game in the regular season, albeit a shortened season, is unheard of in this day and age. To fall to the mighty Melbourne Storm on Grand Final day is hardly embarrassing either.

Panthers fans will ultimately rue 2020 as a missed opportunity as they were the form competition almost from day one. They really should have lifted the trophy but were caught in an early Storm ambush.

I could fill 1000 words talking up the brilliance of the likes of Cleary, Crichton, Luai, Edwards, Yeo, Kikau, To'o, Koroisau, JFH, Mansour, Capwell, Naden and co. Cleary should have won the Dally M medal for mine.

NRL Qualifying Final - Panthers v Roosters
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 02: Josh Mansour of the Panthers celebrates winning the NRL Qualifying Final match between the Penrith Panthers and the Sydney Roosters at Panthers Stadium on October 02, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)