Penrith Panthers Face Historic Low in Crucial Clash Against Eels
Alright, let’s talk about something that’s making waves in the NRL right now — and it’s not the kind of attention the Penrith Panthers would’ve wanted. The Panthers, who have been nothing short of a dynasty in recent years, are suddenly staring down the barrel of some pretty bleak history. If they lose their next match against the Parramatta Eels in round 13, they’ll be sitting last on the ladder — later in the season than any reigning premier has done in over seven decades. That’s right, not since 1953 has a defending champion fallen this far this late in the year.
To put it in perspective, the last time this happened was with Western Suburbs, who went from winning the grand final in 1952 to finishing dead last the following year. Melbourne’s 2010 season doesn’t even count in the same way because their 2009 title was stripped due to salary cap violations, which meant they couldn’t earn any points the year after.
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So here we are in 2025, and Penrith, with four consecutive titles behind them, suddenly can’t seem to catch a break. Last weekend’s 25-6 defeat to Newcastle dropped them right to the bottom of the ladder. Coach Ivan Cleary didn’t sugarcoat it — the team has got to wake up and realise they’re miles away from their usual standard.
But if you ask the players, there’s no panic — at least not outwardly. Winger Tom Jenkins summed it up by saying he’s not losing sleep over it. For him, and seemingly the rest of the squad, it’s not about obsessing over their position — it’s about getting things right on the field. And that’s a sentiment echoed by Scott Sorensen, who’s just returning from a three-game suspension. He sees this as a fresh opportunity, a moment to help steady the ship.
And there’s the added challenge of navigating the disruptive State of Origin period. The Panthers have five key players tied up in Origin — Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo, Brian To’o, Dylan Edwards, and Liam Martin. Their availability for the Eels clash is still being worked out, but their presence (or absence) could be a huge factor.
Despite the pressure, Sorensen insists the group is staying grounded. Sure, there’s urgency, but there’s also calm — a belief that it’s still within their power to turn this around. It’s a defining moment for the club — a chance to show whether the heart of a champion still beats strong, or whether we’re witnessing the end of an era.
So come Sunday, all eyes will be on CommBank Stadium. It’s not just a match. It’s a test of legacy, pride, and resilience. Let’s see if the Panthers can claw their way back.
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