Season 2026

[Chins]

Would it be fair to say Panthers won't be "The Hunted" in 2026.

Michael Maguire has the declared the Broncos will be the new Dynasty, mmm 1 Premiership every 19 years puts him in the "Flash in the Pan" category.

That aging squad isn't going on a run. That was one and done

 

[Goonji]

Would it be fair to say Panthers won't be "The Hunted" in 2026.

Michael Maguire has the declared the Broncos will be the new Dynasty, mmm 1 Premiership every 19 years puts him in the "Flash in the Pan" category.

Yes, they will be the hunted.

 

[Fangs]

Would it be fair to say Panthers won't be "The Hunted" in 2026.

Michael Maguire has the declared the Broncos will be the new Dynasty, mmm 1 Premiership every 19 years puts him in the "Flash in the Pan" category.

Absolutely.

Pressure is off us. We are the old and tired spent force that doesn't have what it takes to win premierships anymore

Brisbane will be hunted. You don't win a premiership and suddenly fly under the radar.

 

[Alintheeast]

Anybody know when we will play our first game at the new stadium.

 

[The Realist]

That aging squad isn't going on a run. That was one and done

Yeah, they weren't supposed to beat us in that prelim either. I predicted after the 23 GF that the Broncos would jag a few premierships in the following 5 years and that they will be our main rival.

I wouldn't write them off at all. Overall their squad is young - perhaps even younger than ours in the positions that favour youth. They are only 'old' in the spine where age matters the least - and they have great cover in the spine with a Rep level Halfback/Hooker who can fill in when Reyno breaks down.

 

[Oldpanther86]

Yeah, they weren't supposed to beat us in that prelim either. I predicted after the 23 GF that the Broncos would jag a few premierships in the following 5 years and that they will be our main rival.

I wouldn't write them off at all. Overall their squad is young - perhaps even younger than ours in the positions that favour youth. They are only 'old' in the spine where age matters the least - and they have great cover in the spine with a Rep level Halfback/Hooker who can fill in when Reyno breaks down.

Even JT who was one of the best halfbacks ever started to visibly slow down so it'll happen to reynolds/hunt just a matter of when not if.

 

[Sime_11]

they will still be there in 2026 - but im confident they dont go back to back

difference is they are the team to beat now so everyone wants to beat the broncos so they have to be on their game every game next season - can they handle that pressure?

they need to fix their defence for starters - you cant leak points and expect to turn it around 2nd half every game - you get away with it against the poorer teams, but not the good teams

alot went right in 2025 finals for Brisbane with favourable ref calls and injuries to opposition players causing reshuffle of the team. thats not a given to happen again in 2026 and now that they've climbed the mountain - can they climb it again?

 

[Fangs]

Its hard enough to win 1 premiership.

They've got Walsh but they'll need to produce a new half soon. Reynolds should be retired and Hunt isn't a spring chicken either.

 

[The Realist]

Its hard enough to win 1 premiership.

They've got Walsh but they'll need to produce a new half soon. Reynolds should be retired and Hunt isn't a spring chicken either.

Walsh is good enough with *insert functional halfback* + Mam and Walters.

 

[Munky]

Walsh is going to be brutalised in the 2026 season

He's about to learn the crown is heavy.

 

[Fangs]

Walsh is good enough with *insert functional halfback* + Mam and Walters.

He was good enough post-origin this year.

Has all the potential. A move to 6 won't happen for a few years but probably will when his speed drops.

Walsh is going to be brutalised in the 2026 season

He's about to learn the crown is heavy.

I was just about to post the same thing.

He is now going to be the number one marked player in the NRL. If he plays Origin then he is going to get brutalised. Very tough test for him in 2026.

 

[hindy111]

The biggest thing for Penrith will be McLean and Blaizes development. Fact it those two cost you a 5th title. Put Crighton and Luai in for example. Both have I think the potential to be as good as them both but will they and how long will that take? No doubt they'll improve. Patea could have a break out season and Henry will start to get into his peak.
Tooʻ looks slow to me but im sure he is injured. Edwards just looks off the pace. A bit slower and not as sharp on feet. Made a lot of crucial errors as well.
And also juniors. Im sure there will be a few come into grade.

 

[BxTom]

Walsh is going to be brutalised in the 2026 season

He's about to learn the crown is heavy.

Agree, I also think his free ride by the NRL judiciary will come to a shuddering end this season coming.

 

[Oldpanther86]

Agree, I also think his free ride by the NRL judiciary will come to a shuddering end this season coming.

No chance when he's the most marketable player in the game.

 

[Bob]

2

Anybody know when we will play our first game at the new stadium

First game of 2027

 

[Pjf04b]

Maybe, hopefully!!

 

[The Realist]

The biggest thing for Penrith will be McLean and Blaizes development. Fact it those two cost you a 5th title. Put Crighton and Luai in for example. Both have I think the potential to be as good as them both but will they and how long will that take? No doubt they'll improve. Patea could have a break out season and Henry will start to get into his peak.
Tooʻ looks slow to me but im sure he is injured. Edwards just looks off the pace. A bit slower and not as sharp on feet. Made a lot of crucial errors as well.
And also juniors. Im sure there will be a few come into grade.

Hard to disagree with most of that. However, the biggest concern is the juniors. Other than the 2 young fullbacks who are still years away, we don't seem to have anything really coming through. Either Panthers Nursey is going through a drought period, or we have been raided to death (or a bit of both).

 

[Pjf04b]

Jersey Flegg were runners up.There are a few likely prospects there.

 

[hindy111]

Hard to disagree with most of that. However, the biggest concern is the juniors. Other than the 2 young fullbacks who are still years away, we don't seem to have anything really coming through. Either Panthers Nursey is going through a drought period, or we have been raided to death (or a bit of both).

And juniors will need atleast 1 full season possibly 2 before they get to a level where make a difference. The hard part will be not finding NRL level first graders but finding guys who are elite to replace guys like Edwards,Martin,Too for example. Martin im sure will be replaced without to much difficulty but the other two will be nearly impossible.
But if can haveva good rest and manage loads no reason Edwards cant have 2 more high quality seasons . Too being younger maybe 4 or 5 but I'd be managing his load for sure. He does a lot for work. Giving him a rest every month might be smart

 

[CCJohnC]

A far as I can see we have at least six new players from other teams coming. Some to be confirmed.