Coach Ivan Cleary asserted that despite the Penrith Panthers’ difficult journey to the grand final, it had only inspired his group.
He was confident they could win one more game. “After Penrith’s 10-6 victory over Melbourne, we are even more battle-hardened now, but I guess we will find out next week how much juice that takes out of you,” he said.
Since the finals system was altered in 2012, only one team—the North Queensland Cowboys—have won the premiership after participating in all four final weeks. That team’s victory came six years ago when they lost to the Brisbane Broncos in week one before exacting revenge in the decider.
