Why the Panthers will be pretty in pink for the decider
They’ve played in the past four grand finals and won three straight titles, but the Panthers will have to do something they haven’t done before in the biggest game of the season – wear a pink jersey.
In 116 years of top grade rugby league in Australia, no team has ever worn a pink jumper in a grand final, but the Panthers will be required to do so against the Storm at Accor Stadium next Sunday night.
Minor premiers Melbourne have won the right to wear their traditional purple strip having secured the JJ Giltinan Shield, and Penrith’s first-choice black jersey is considered a clash with the Storm outfit.
The Panthers have donned their black jerseys in each of the last four grand finals, including wins over South Sydney (2021), Parramatta (2022) and Brisbane (2023).
The Storm were forced to wear their alternate white jersey against the Panthers in the 2020 grand final because Ivan Cleary’s side finished as minor premiers.
The pink Panthers are expected to trigger a rush from fans to buy the jersey before Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo lead their team in a bid to win a historic fourth straight title, with the colour to be dotted through the stands at Sydney Olympic Park.
Nathan Cleary and the Panthers will wear their pink jersey in the grand final.Credit: Getty
The jersey has proven hugely popular with their young fans, in particular, and Panthers Group chief executive Brian Fletcher admitting the jumper has won over a new legion of fans.
“Every time we wear it, it’s amazing the number of young, female fans we get,” Fletcher said. “And the young kids love the jersey. I hear them ask their parents, ‘can you buy me that pink jersey?’ If we sell out of the stock, we’ll order more. It’s a great point of difference for our fans.”
The Panthers wore their pink jersey in the round one clash against the Storm in Melbourne, losing a frenetic match 8-0 shortly after they returned from the World Club Challenge in the United Kingdom.
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