Penrith players have partied through the night after claiming an historic third consecutive NRL premiership.
The players returned to Panthers Leagues Club in the early hours of the morning, with thousands of fans greeting them both outside and inside the club.
After being presented to the waiting crowd inside the club, the players attended a private function at the EVAN Theatre.
They continued to mingle with family, friends and sponsors through the morning.
The players then headed across to BlueBet Stadium where they’ve been greeted by thousands of adoring fans.
Earlier, Penrith produced a comeback for the ages to defeat Brisbane 26-24 and claim the club’s fifth Premiership.
The game appeared gone when Ezra Mam went on a point scoring assault mid-way through the second half, scoring three tries in the space of 10 minutes.
But Nathan Cleary then took control of the game, producing a number of key moments including a 76th minute try that broke Brisbane’s hearts.
“I’ve never felt so under the pump in a game for ages as we were in that second half,” coach Ivan Cleary said.
“I must say, I was a little worried half way through that second half.”
Asked if he thought the team was gone when Mam scored his third try, Cleary said: “A fairly big part of me was leaning that way but one thing I never doubt was these boys’ ability to keep fighting.”
Troy Dodds is the Weekender’s Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia’s leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.
