Breaking a 40-year record will be on the line for the Penrith Panthers when they chase a historic three peat at the NRL Grand Final at Accor Stadium on Sunday.
Penrith’s Western Sydney rivals, Parramatta Eels, were the last club to win three consecutive premierships (1981-83), when the competition was administered by the NSWRL.
The Eels ‘Golden Team’ of the 1980s is still to this day spoken about as one of the greatest teams within Rugby League, a legacy the Panthers hope to emulate on Sunday night.
“We know how rare one premiership is so to have the opportunity to have three, it is pretty incredible,” Panthers back-rower Liam Martin told nswrl.com.au.
“You can see how much it would mean to the club and the community and we really want to embrace it.
“You can see the culture we have built here at the club, and we will be hoping to have a lot of success deep into the future.
“It all means a lot.”
Penrith centre Stephen Crichton praised coach Ivan Cleary for the work he has done in bringing the team and players closer together.
“Ivan has built a good culture where you continuously want to get better,” Crichton said.
“The club has been in good hands and will be for the next few years and they will continue to grow and build on that.”
