NRL grand final: Junior clubs, origin stories of the Penrith Panthers side chasing history
They’re the 17 Penrith Panthers players chasing a hat-trick of premierships in this weekend’s NRL grand final. We look at the origin stories and junior clubs that helped where they are today.
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For the fourth-straight year the Penrith Panthers are into the NRL grand final.
And they have a golden opportunity to bring home third successive premiership, aiming to become the first side to complete the feat since the Parramatta Eels in 1983.
With a host of local juniors and players that have been involved in the previous three deciders, the Panthers are looking to cement their legacy as one of the great league dynasties.
Remarkably just three players out of the team selected to take on the Brisbane Broncos have played NRL with other clubs.
We take a look back at how the 17 who will line up in this weekend’s grand final came to this point.
1. DYLAN EDWARDS
Gunning for back-to-back Clive Churchill Medals after an incredible conclusion to last season.
Edwards grew up in Dorrgio, about 80km south of Grafton, where he played his junior footy with the Bellingen Dorrigo Magpies.
He went on to be signed by the Panthers as a 16-year-old, marking an 11-year consecutive run with the club.
2. SUNIA TURUVA
Burst onto the scene this year for Penrith and has played every game after showing glimpses in NSW Cup last year and representing Fiji at the World Cup.
Turuva was a junior with both the Berala Bears and St Marys Saints, earning an NRL development contract with the Panthers as an 18-year-old after joining them in 2018.
3. IZACK TAGO
One of the most exciting young players on the roster, the 21-year-old is fast approaching 50 games and his second premiership.
A St Marys Saints junior, Tago started his junior reps days with the Panthers as a second rower in Harold Matthews in 2018 before making the move to the centres.
4. STEPHEN CRICHTON
Playing in his fourth and last grand final with the Panthers with a move to the Bulldogs next year.
Came through the ranks with St Marys and the St Clair Comets after playing in division three and now regarded as one of the most athletic players in the competition after getting his shot with the Panthers in SG Ball in 2018.
5. BRIAN TO’O
The man they call Bizza is one of the most loved among Panther fans, and is another gunning for a third-straight title.
The Samoan international and NSW Blues regular started his journey with the St Marys Saints. It wasn’t without bumps, being told he was too small for Harold Matthews, before working his way into the system.
6. JAROME LUAI
Another player who grew up in the region and did his thing with the St Marys Saints before going onto greater heights.
Came through with halves partner Nathan Cleary from Harold Matthews to Holden Cup (U20s), winning multiple premierships along the way, and now is poised to become the latest $1m man in the NRL.
7. NATHAN CLEARY
Among the favourites to claim a second Clive Churchill Medal, Cleary’s path to the top involved a stint with the Mount Albert Lions in New Zealand due to father Ivan’s NRL commitments.
Played with the Penrith Brothers before being signed by the Panthers and progressing through the pathways from Harold Matthews to the big time, making his debut at 18 and representing NSW since 2019.
8. MOSES LEOTA
Has been playing at the NRL level since 2016 as a 21-year old after coming through the Holden Cup pathway with the club.
A St Marys junior after making the move from New Zealand to Australia, Leota played SG Ball before becoming a two-time premiership winner.
9. MITCH KENNY
Enjoying the season as the first-choice hooker after the departure of Api Koroisau, Kenny has continued to improve into a very solid first grader.
Played in his younger days with the Windsor Wolves before being chosen with Penrith in SG Ball, U20s and NSW Cup.
10. JAMES FISHER-HARRIS
Was born and grew up in New Zealand where he was a powerhouse for the Whangarei Marist Brothers club.
Caught the eye of Penrith officials and was signed to play in their SG Ball outfit as a 17-year-old.
He graduated to play two years of U20s and has been a regular in first grade ever since.
11. SCOTT SORENSEN
The only player in the starting line-up not to have played his only NRL footy at Penrith.
Was a junior player with Cronulla-Caringbah, earning his shot at rep level when making the Sharks U20s side.
Played first grade with the Sharks and Raiders before being picked up by the Panthers and earning his place as a starter this season.
12. LIAM MARTIN
A proud country boy who has graduated from the Temora Dragons to a World Cup-winning player.
Came across to the Panthers as an 18-year-old to link with the SG Ball side, plying his trade in the lower grades before earning a shot at NRL level in 2019 and hasn’t looked back since.
13. ISAAH YEO
Another country boy from Dubbo, the international and 200+ game player grew up playing with St Johns and Dubbo CYMS.
Got his chance to play with Penrith as a 17-year-old in the SG Ball competition, won an U20s competition the next year and is now regarded as one of the best forwards in the NRL.
14. JACK COGGER
Will spend just the one year with Penrith after signing a deal to return to the Knights next season, but has made the most of his opportunities when called upon.
A Toukley Hawks junior who played SG Ball with Newcastle, Cogger was picked up by the Panthers after a stint in the UK with Huddersfield.
15. LINDSAY SMITH
Another local junior in this setup, Smith played with the St Marys Saints, where he earned the chance to train with the Panthers at just 14.
Has played at all levels with Penrith since Harold Matthews in 2016, making his debut at NRL level in 2021 and locking down a more regular spot in the 17 this season.
16. SPENCIER LENIU
Is looking to cap off his Penrith career in style before he joins the Sydney Roosters for the 2024 season.
A Minchinbury Jets junior, he impressed enough to graduate through the pathways with the Panthers, including playing Jersey Flegg as an 18-year-old in 2019, making his NRL debut in the same season.
17. LUKE GARNER
A rare signing brought into the club, Garner made the move from the Wests Tigers to the Panthers this season.
Garner played his junior footy with the Bilambil Jets on the north coast, had his first taste of U20s with Manly, before finally getting his shot in NRL at 22 years of age.
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