Panthers celebrate season 50 with gala dinner

The Penrith Panthers celebrated their 50th season gala dinner with the induction of four revered Panthers into the Panthers Hall of Fame.

Penrith Panthers Hall of Fame inductees Royce Simmons, Craig Gower, Grahame Moran and Greg Alexander.

The Penrith Panthers celebrated their 50th season gala dinner with the induction of four revered Panthers into the Panthers Hall of Fame on Saturday night.

The inaugural inductees were Grahame Moran, Royce Simmons, Greg Alexander and Craig Gower.

All suited up for the 50th season celebration and Hall of Fame members announcement.

The event was attended by dozens of former Panthers players, including members of the club’s 1991 and 2003 premiership sides.

The inductees paid tribute to their former teammates and coaches.

/Greg Alexander (left) in his playing days.

Simmons talked about his passion for the club: “It’s been fantastic especially the people of this town. It was great to be Penrith’s first Australian representative.”

Alexander said: “It’s humbling to be recognised for something you love doing.”

Penrith Panthers NRL captain Craig Gower (R) wearing 2004 jersey coach Greg Alexander's 1991 jersey at Penrith Stadium.

Moran, one of the original Panthers, said they were a team of young players. “We really didn’t believe in ourselves until we played our third or fourth game in Penrith and defeated St George (the premiers for a record 11th season),” he said.

Gower said: “When I was a kid playing junior football I had a great desire to play for the Panthers.”