I had this ready to go at the start of the week, however the events of the past 48 hours have completely altered the clubโs outlook.
Ivan Clearyโs sacking has many league fans scratching their heads, and league commentators questioning the timing.
The season was no doubt a disappointment for Panthers fans, as despite a so-called โeasy drawโ, last seasonโs semi-finalists were flat chat avoiding finishing last.
The injury toll out Penrith way was horrific all season, so much so that the side was unable to play their preferred โspineโ for any length of time.
Season Highlight: 40-0 Victory over the Titans (Round 2)
Confidence at the foot of the mountains would have been sky high after the Panthers disposed of the side who stopped them a game short of the Grand Final, The Bulldogs, in round one.
They then travelled to Bathurst where they put an absolute hammering on the travelling Titans, to the tune of eight tries to none.
The Pantherโs second half against the Titans was about as complete as you will see, as they ran in six tries.
Idris and Whare had a field day out wide, while Bryce Cartwright and Sika Manu dominated up the middle.
It would be the best the Panthers would play all season, and although theyโd fade away severely, the Panthers could hardly have done more to start their season on a high.
Season Lowlight: 52-10 Loss to Melbourne (Round 19)
In the salary cap era there is no excuse for allowing a side to score ten tries. That is exactly what the Panthers did in their trip to Melbourne.
Melbourne had over 60%, made over 700 metres more than Penrith, made 11 line breaks to three.
Penrith were never in the game, after conceding a try to Cooper Cronk in the fifth minute, and it only got worse from there.
On this day, Penrithโs attacking weapons were blunted, and to be frank, reduced to spectators for the majority of the game.
Star Player: Bryce Cartwright
Although Tyrone Peachey won the Panthers player of the year award, and had a great season, Bryce Cartwright provided some moments of absolute magic.
The 20 year-old second rower set the competition alight with his ability to break the line, and force the near impossible pass.
At one time, Cartwright was arguably the form player of the competition. There is very little this man cannot do.
Going forward the club needs to see less time between the quiet games and those where he tore sides apart, but they have a weapon in their arsenal.
Most Disappointing Player: Jamie Soward
Much like the Panthers squad as a collective, Sowardโs season was disrupted heavily via injury, but even when he was on the park, he was not the Jamie Soward we have come to expect.
Soward, who led his side to within 80 minutes of a Grand Final in 2014, could not replicate the form of the season earlier, failing to score a try in 2015.
In 2015 there werenโt many signs of the famous finger guns that followed moments of Soward brilliance, as by the end of the season he was lucky to still be in first grade.
There are rumours that have since been denied, that Soward has been shopped around.
Future Star: Reagan Campbell-Gillard
The 22 year-old prop had such a brilliant rookie season that he was awarded a City jersey, and also represented the Prime Ministerโs XI.
One of very few Panthers to play anywhere near a full season, he played all 24 games in arguably the toughest position in the game.
A future NSW representative, there is no ceiling on far this kid can go, especially given he will be joined in the front row next season by Trent Merrin.
In a season of negatives for the Panthers, RCG was a shining light, and was rewarded with a long-term contract.
Best Signing For 2016: Trent Merrin
The NSW and Kangaroos star will join the likes of Cartwright and Peachey in a brilliant, and young, forward pack next season.
He may play second row, lock, or even in the front row, which will provide plenty of versatility for the incoming Penrith coach.
Merrin will be tasked with making plenty of metres, to allow space for the likes of Moylan and Soward.
He comes with a big reputation, and big expectation. Merrin has plenty of runs on the board and will surely be a success in his new role.
Outlook:
To be honest, the Panthers are probably losing more than they are gaining in the transfer market, after losing Lewis Brown, and Apisai Koroisau.
That being said, the returns of Idris, and Moylan, amongst many others, will seem like faces have arrived, such is the time they have spent out of action.
Itโs tough to predict how theyโll travel next season as of right now they donโt even have a coach.
Anthony Griffin is set to be appointed, however he will enter 2016 under big pressure, given the way Cleary was dumped.
There is plenty of talent on the Panthers roster, so there is no excuse for another season of failure. Given what has just happened, it would be unfair to ask the fans of the club to sit through another rebuilding phase.
Season Grading: D+
The Panthers avoided an F grading by the same amount they avoided finishing last โฆ by very little.
Ivan Cleary lost his job, the Panthers starting halves futures at the club are under a dark cloud, and the medical team will be under immense pressure next season.
The Panthers couldnโt get players on the park for long enough to develop combinations, let alone repeat their heroics of 2014.
Panthers fans wonโt want a bar of 2015, and theyโll be looking forward to a new season, and a new era.
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