Panthers ready to party like it is 2003

LIAM Martin was only six when Penrith won its last premiership in 2003, but he says a cast of proven winners from the club’s junior ranks has the Panthers primed to reclaim the NRL trophy this season.

The Panthers are flying high as competition leaders on the back of a core group who all played together in the lower grades.

Martin (pictured) was part of the NYC premiership in 2015 and a NYC grand final defeat in 2016 alongside the likes of Caleb Aekins, Dylan Edwards, Brent Naden, Jarome Luai, Nathan Cleary, James Fisher-Harris and Moses Leota.

Younger guys like Billy Burns, Mitch Kenny and Brian To’o also won the SG Ball premiership together in 2016.

Four years on, Penrith’s dedication to developing talent is paying dividends at the highest level, and Martin believes the familiar Panthers are perfectly placed to handle pressure of finals football.

“We’ve all played together as a team, so when it gets to those big games, we won’t want to let each other down,” Martin said. “This is probably the tightest group I’ve ever played with.

“A lot of the boys grew up together playing local footy and lower grades.

“I think 11 of us were playing in the 20s grand final in 2015 and 2016, so to come through and play together has been a massive part of being so tight.”

Martin was just starting school in Temora when Craig Gower, Rhys Wesser, Scott Sattler and Ryan Girdler steered Penrith to a shock grand final win over then defending premiers, the Sydney Roosters.

“I’ve heard stories of the last time they won,” he said.

“If we could do that it would be huge, especially for the community.”