Both those matches were at Panthers Stadium, where they will face Sydney Roosters on Friday night in a massive test of both team's premiership credentials after the back-to-back grand finals winners suffered a record 60-8 loss to South Sydney last weekend.

The Panthers secured the minor premiership in round 19 and won 15 consecutive matches by playing an enterprising but organised brand of football.

Just eight members of the Panthers squad remain from the club’s last finals campaign in 2018, when they beat the Warriors and lost to Cronulla, and only four of those – Nathan Cleary, Josh Mansour, Isaah Yeo and James Fisher-Harris – were involved in the 2016 play-offs. Ivan Cleary and his players couldn't have done much more than finish the regular season with just one loss but the intensity of matches and standard of opposition is about to step up and this Penrith team is largely untested at finals level. “The State of Origin series will be an exciting way to finish the season and I’m confident the players we select will do the sky blue jersey proud.”. "I've been in touch with a few other people to see their plans and what they're thinking and hopefully keep fit just in case.". According to The Daily Telegraph, Trbojevic is set to pull his name from the squad due to his recovery being slower than anticipated, but Fittler said he had not received such news from the Manly star. It was a joy to watch. "The big thing we keep talking about is go back to your club and work hard. All good things must come to an end and it is hard to see Penrith's golden run continuing all the way to the grand final. Be the best for your club every week, and if you do that you'll pick yourself.". They attack you from everywhere.

Game two will be held at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium on November 11, with game three to take place at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium the following week.

Isaah Yeo is also important to them at lock and when he is not there they are a bit of a different team so his health is very important.

"No one can do anything.

“I believe they all will play a role in helping NSW defend the State of Origin Shield and I’m looking forward to working with them when we go into camp on October 19. The views in this article do not necessarily express the opinions of the NRL, ARLC, NRL clubs or state associations.

Leading into Origin last year he was the best five-eighth by a long way," he said. Nathan Cleary and Josh Mansour with the JJ Giltinan Shield. What they have achieved this season can't be undervalued but it must be noted that besides the eighth-placed Sharks, who have not beaten another top-eight team, Penrith have played just two other finals teams – Canberra and Parramatta - since June. The 2020 State of Origin series will kick off at Adelaide Oval on November 4. Abdo presents Panthers with J.J. Giltinan Shield. Penrith have only lost one game all year [16-10 against Parramatta] and they were right in that. Brad Fittler has defended his decision to take injured Manly superstar Tom Trbojevic into the 2020 NSW Origin bubble, saying: “I don’t feel neglectful at all”.

Last weekend against Canterbury their left winger, left centre, right winger, right centre, a second-rower and a front-rower all scored tries.

NSW Blues coach Brad Fittler has named his initial squad for this year's State of Origin series. They were leading up until the 60th-minute mark and the Eels scored three tries in 10 minutes.

Can Charlotte Caslick adapt in time to play NRLW. Watching their whole team and how they behave shows that there is a really good vibe at Penrith at the moment and I expect that to culminate in a third premiership victory for the Panthers.

On only two occasions in 20 rounds of the regular season have the Panthers conceded more than 14 points, and one of those was way back in March against the Dragons before the competition was suspended. While the likes of Paul Vaughan, Tariq Sims and Zac Lomax were notable omissions, the Blues coach admitted that he had stayed in contact with the overlooked players, who could still make the squad as injury replacements. "I've always said I'll be gauged by the (Manly) doctor Nathan Gibbs.

Some people will probably say they haven't got a lot of big match experience in their squad but you can only get that from playing in big matches. 'Lost' Crichton reveals how he became NRL sensation, Turbo's Origin blow triggers finals shoot-out for hopeful Blues trio, You have skipped the navigation, tab for page content, Fans' Poll results: Best players + all the big issues. "Cody has always been a part of the plans, he was last year and it didn't quite work out, but he's gone away and gotten better.

"The other thing I was very sensitive towards was the fact that players have had a really tough year," he said. NSW Origin coach Brad Fittler says he will speak to Manly doctor Nathan Gibbs after reports suggested Tom Trbojevic could be a shock withdrawal from his squad. The Trbojevic brothers, Tyson Frizell, Cameron McInnes and Payne Haas were the five players named to Fittler's squad on Sunday. It includes only players from teams who didn’t qualify for the NRL finals – with Payne Haas, Tom and Jake Trbojevic, and Dragons forward Tyson Frizell all getting the nod.

Andrew Johns and Brad Fittler examine the biggest issues in the Broncos' roster ahead of 2021. “This season has been extremely challenging for the game and I’m pleased to name the following players in this extended squad,” Fittler told NRL Media.

NSW Blues coach Brad Fittler has named his initial squad for this year’s State of Origin series. Jake Trbojevic (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles), Tom Trbojevic (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles), Tyson Frizell (St George Illawarra Dragons), Cameron McInnes (St George Illawarra Dragons). But, in the latest edition of For & Against, NRL.com senior reporter Brad Walter begs to differ.

Trbojevic was one of five players named as a part of Fittler's initial Blues squad for the 2020 State of Origin series, but has reportedly struggled with his shoulder rehabilitation.

You might have expected the youth in the Panthers side to have crumbled at some stage during the year but the key members of the Panthers team – halfback Nathan Cleary, hooker Api Koroisau, fullback Dylan Edwards and props James Tamou and James Fisher-Harris - are all quite calm so I don't see them falling too far out of games. The Penrith Panthers have strike across the field and the best defence in the NRL this season. One player who Fittler has already confirmed as a lock for his squad is Souths star Cody Walker, and the Blues coach praised Walker for his response to last year's Origin axing. That's why they are my tip to win the Telstra Premiership. Allana Ferguson and Ruan Sims discuss the opening round of the NRLW Premiership in 2020. Penrith's dream run in 2020 is about to hit its biggest test - the pressure-cooker of the NRL finals. The other was their 56-24 defeat of the Sharks in Round 9, and in the 11 matches since the Panthers have conceded just 104 points. I'll be speaking to Nathan Gibbs over the next few days to see how much truth there is in that. While it seems unfair to cast doubt about Penrith because they haven't had the chance to play other top opposition, premiership-winning teams usually need to enter the finals battle-hardened and prepared for all scenarios.

Watch the controversial new event series The Comey Rule now on Stan. For the Panthers to truly regard their Telstra Premiership campaign as a success they need to be the last team standing on grand final night. The most recent team to lose a finals match and win a grand final was the Cowboys, who beat the Broncos in extra-time to claim their first premiership in 2015. Brad Fittler names initial NSW Blues squad, State of Origin 2020 | Fixtures & Results, Titans outside-back signs contract extension, Maroons coaching great Wayne Bennett to return for Origin series, Storm gun Ryan Papenhuyzen reveals the Eels snubbed him. NSW Origin coach Brad Fittler says he will speak to Manly doctor Nathan Gibbs after reports suggested Tom Trbojevic could be a shock withdrawal from his squad.

If not, they usually rely on previous big match experience but Penrith have little besides Cleary's involvement in the past two State of Origin campaigns for NSW and captain James Tamou being a member of North Queensland's 2015 grand final winning team. Extra names will get added to the squad every Sunday as teams are eliminated from the post-season.

To win the grand final, the Panthers are likely to need to extend their unbeaten streak to 18 consecutive matches – a feat not achieved in the NRL era.

Fittler admitted that he did not want to name players who were little chance of making the final squad due to stringent restrictions NRL players have been placed under this season due to the COVID-19 crisis.


They are good signs as premierships are usually won by the best defensive teams but Penrith have consistently shown over the course of the season that they have little problem scoring points either.

What I like about the Panthers is that they have strike all over the field. "When you speak to players and you listen to some of the protocols and some of the sacrifices they've had to put up with, the last thing I want to do is to bring in a massive amount of players that were never going to be considered.

A regular season that included just one loss is now in the rear-view mirror. The circumstances of people maybe going overseas travelling or losing condition over the space of a week isn't going to happen," he said.

Kevin Walters fights back tears after landing dream job as Brisbane Broncos head coach, EXCLUSIVE: Andrew Johns and Brad Fittler slam NRL judiciary's Max King verdict. "That was something we were very adamant about early just because of the type of season it has been.". "I believe the Manly blokes are having a bit of a get together at the moment so they've got plenty of time.". Comment on stories, get exclusive content and submit your own articles!
Fittler will name five more additions to his 2020 NSW Blues squad this Sunday evening.

Channel Nine commentator, NSW Blues coach and former Panthers great Brad Fittler is backing Penrith to finish the job they started so well.

Players like Viliame Kikau, Stephen Crichton and Brent Naden provide X-factor and with everyone in the squad healthy heading into the finals, Penrith coach Ivan Cleary has a lot of depth to draw on if needed. Brad Fittler has urged Manly to re-think plans to play Kieran Foran at hooker, after the club announced the premiership hero would return to Sydney northern beaches. "He had a fantastic year last year. "That's the first I've heard about it," he told 2GB's Wide World of Sports Radio.

2020 NRL finals predictor: Who wins it from here.

Channel Nine commentator, NSW Blues coach and former Panthers great Brad Fittler is backing Penrith to finish the job they started so well.