Before every NRL titan that dominates the competition is a struggling side trying to rebuild.
Whether a club is struggling to retain talent, has failed to manage its cap properly, or simply isn't winning footy games, a rebuild is necessary for a franchise to reclaim its competitive edge in the NRL.
While there are a few squads every year in need of a roster overhaul, few have managed to construct a premiership-contending roster as well as these clubs.
1. Penrith Panthers (2016-2021)
Quite simply, the greatest rebuild of all time, the Penrith Panthers went from underachievers to a revolutionary dynasty in the space of a few years.
After being known as one of the most inconsistent and mediocre clubs for over a decade, the Panthers needed a change. Enter NRL supremo Phil Gould, who announced his "five-year plan" would lay the foundations for long-term success in Penrith.
Gould focused on building solid junior pathways for the club, as opposed to bringing in outside stars.
The club started to truly find an identity, one that its juniors would feel proud to be a part of. This, in turn, produced a golden generation of stars, including Nathan Cleary, Jarome Luai, Stephen Crichton, Brian To'o, Liam Martin, and many more.
The Penrith Panthers brought in premiership winner James Maloney to mentor Cleary, who was a rising star in need of direction.
The club also brought back Ivan Cleary, who was sacked from the club just a few years prior.
With the foundations put in place, all this side needed was experience, and after a heartbreaking defeat to the Melbourne Storm in the 2020 Grand Final following a lengthy undefeated streak, this Penrith Panthers outfit had all the tools for success.
The Ivan Cleary-led Panthers went on to win the next four premierships, showcasing a level of dominance never-before-seen in the NRL era.
