Another team with some true superstars is the Penrith Panthers. Talented players, versatile players, you name it, they had it.
With high expectations placed on them by their fans, the Panthers can be up or down.
One thing is for certain, they have legends whose names are forever etched in Panthers folklore.
So, here we go; our picks for the best ever Panthers players in their history:
- Rhys Wesser – Slowly found his feet in Penrith, but hit his straps in 2000. His defensive toughness improved, but it was his speed and try-scoring ability that scintillated Penrith fans.
2. Robbie Beckett – Beckett scored tries for fun when at Penrith and was one of the best finishers at the club at the time.
3. Ryan Girdler – The club’s greatest ever point-scorer, Girdler was a quality centre for the Panthers. Strong on the left side, a solid defender and a very good goal-kicker, he cemented a long-term spot.
4. Brad Izzard – A quality servant for the Panthers, amassing more than 200 games. Burst onto the scene and kept going and going despite some ups and downs.
5. Luke Rooney – Still in high school when he debuted, Rooney would use his pace and strength to become a valuable asset on the wing for Penrith.
6. Steve Carter – A versatile player, Carter’s ability was always on show. Captaining the Panthers, Carter holds the club record for most games.
7. Greg Alexander – A prodigious talent, Greg ‘Brandy’ Alexander was a genuinely good player. Leading from the front and guiding Penrith, he won Halfback of the Year three times.
8. Tony Puletua – He started as a centre before he was converted to a prop and he did not look back. His work and go forward in 2003 contributed to the Panthers premiership success.
9. Craig Gower – Although he had a fair share of off-field issues, Gower excelled in the hooker role. Tough, tenacious and enthusiastic, he was a rock in the middle for Penrith.
10. Mark Geyer – Known for his aggressive exploits on the field, Geyer was known as a hot-head but he was a powerful forward across the board.
11. Trent Waterhouse – A tall, rangy back-rower, Waterhouse was originally used as a supersub to good effect. He became a mainstay and a popular pick among fans for his tireless work rate.
12. John Cartwright – A gifted forward, an uncanny ability to offload, especially around the corner passes that had to be seen to be believed. A true Penrith statesman.
13. Royce Simmons – One of the greatest to ever don the Panthers jersey. Even when times were not great, Simmons’ application and consistency saw him stand out from the rest.
14. Luke Lewis – A true utility, Lewis could cover almost every position on the field bar prop in a pinch. That valuable trait often came in handy for his sides.
15. Carl MacNamara – A hard-working, tall and lean prop, he was a tireless player. Also developed some ball-playing skills for a big man.
16. Luke Priddis – A resolute defender, Priddis exemplified what it meant to be a team player. His tireless efforts saw him win a premiership and the 2003 Clive Churchill Medal.
17. Scott Sattler – That tackle. 2003, game on the line, Sattler takes Byrne into touch. A hard-running forward, Sattler’s work rate often went unnoticed.
