‘I love that they took offence’: What will ‘spark’ the Panthers next season amid ‘dynasty’ debate

Is the Panthers’ dynasty over? It’s been a point of discussion this week, with one expert believing the debate will be used as fuel by the club next year.

For the first time since 2019, the Panthers won’t feature in the grand final after being knocked out by the Broncos in a prelim last Sunday.

In Sunday’s post-match press conference, Ivan Cleary shot back with, “what’s over?” when a reporter asked the Panthers coach to reflect on their dynasty now that their run of four premierships was over.

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“I’m excited for the future and I wouldn’t say anything’s over there,” Panthers skipper Nathan Cleary added.

The Daily Telegraph’s Dean Ritchie said on Tuesday night’s episode of NRL360 that the Panthers’ dynasty is done.

After referencing Ritchie’s comments, Fox League’s Dan Ginnane believes this doubt or lack of belief by some sections of the media will “spark” the Panthers next season.

“I love that they took offence. The very idea that the dynasty ended, they took offence,” Ginnane said.

“You know straight away that that’s their spark for next year.

“You got the sense this year they needed the bad start to the year to give them something to strive for.”

Journalists Brent Read and Michael Carayannis don’t believe the Panthers dynasty is finished.

“I see a dynasty as a period of excellence and it probably starts and ends with a premiership but if you win five in seven years and the seventh year you win your fifth one, that’s a dynasty,” Read said.

“The streak’s dead. That’s all is it. The dynasty still lives on,” Carayannis added.

“It’s on pause until it starts again. It may have ended, we don’t know. If they win next year, the dynasty is five from six,” Ginnane said.