- Panthers players hit the red carpet after 48 hours of celebrating
- Co-captain Isaah Yeo was crowned Penrith’s Player of the Year
Penrith Panthers stars have risen and suited up for their annual presentation night after cementing their status as rugby league’s greatest team in almost 60 years on Sunday.
The four-time premiership winners have spent the last two days behind closed doors at their Rugby League Academy celebrating their historic 14-6 victory over the Storm in the NRL grand final.
On Tuesday night, the side hit the red carpet with their glamorous WAGs at the nearby Pullman Hotel for the Merv Cartwright Medal.
It wasn’t just traditional suits and ties either, with players like Nathan Cleary, Dylan Edwards and Brian To’o showing off their eclectic style credentials.
Panthers co-captain Isaah Yeo was rewarded for an outstanding season by taking out the Merv Cartwright Medal again, previously winning it in 2018 and 2023.
Hooker Mitch Kenny claimed the John Farragher Award for Courage and Determination in recognition of his dedication during the season.
Young prop Liam Henry received the Ben Alexander Rookie of the Year award after an impressive season, having established his position in the NRL side in 2024.
Forward Matt Eisenhuth was announced Club Person of the Year after another great season.
Jarome Luai and partner Paris pictured with Brian and Moesha To’o
Scott Sorensen and wife Elle snapped a selfie on the way to the event
During the presentation, Clive Churchill winner Liam Martin revealed why he became emotional while accepting the award at Accor Stadium.
‘I think just when I was walking up on stage, the enormity of it. Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought I would be winning that sort of prize,’ Martin said.
‘It nearly got me there for a bit, but I had to pull it back.
‘It was a really special moment.’
After the match on Sunday, the team was bussed from the stadium to the club’s precinct in the early hours of the morning, but not without a pitstop at the Panthers Leagues club.
‘Best ever… Big love to the riff!’ Nathan Cleary captioned an Instagram clip of the club in party mode.
Isaiah Iongi and Izack Tago were in good spirits after two days of partying
Nathan Cleary snapped a selfie with his teammates before he heads to the UK
Players were still going at it as Monday dawned, with Izack Tago posting a clip to social media of his bleary eyed teammates.
Usually, the team would be doing a fan greeting at BlueBet Stadium on the Monday after the win, but the club chose to delay the official occasion.
Asked on Sunday night how the title of being the best team of the NRL was sat with him, Cleary suggested that it was now undisputed.
‘In the NRL it was, definitely. I don’t think there’s much more we can do,’ the Penrith halfback said.
Panthers co-captain Isaah Yeo was crowned Penrith’s Player of the Year
‘That Dragons team back then was an amazing term and achieved an amazing feat. But in terms of the NRL it was, yeah, it’s pretty crazy.
‘We have lost great players along this journey, and we’re going to lose more next year, but we just keep finding a way, people just step up.
‘Paul Alamoti he’s come in and losing Critta (Stephen Crichton) then Taylan May, and now he’s up on the big stage just absolutely carving up.
‘It’s special to have that culture and just bring people in, and they just do their job and probably exceed it, to be honest.’
