24 matches: 11 wins, 13 losses
Top point scorer: Nathan Cleary – 157 [10 tries, 58 goals, 1 field goals]
Top try scorer: Nathan Cleary – 10
Merv Cartwright Medal: James Fisher-Harris
Stats: http://mightypanthers.webs.com/season2019.htm
2019 saw the rather controversial return of head coach Ivan Cleary to Penrith, leaving his post at the Wests Tigers to return to the club where he was sacked at the end of 2015.
In what was a difficult off-season for the game over the summer, the Panthers were not spared, being embroiled in a sex tape scandal which saw young utility Tyrone May stood down indefinitely from the NRL.
The drama overhanging the club heading into the premiership season appeared to affect their on-field form, winning only two of the opening ten matches to sit last on the ladder. A vital but scrappy win over Parramatta at the new Bankwest Stadium in late May was the unlikely catalyst for a mid-season resurgence that saw Penrith record seven straight victories and climb inside the top eight. However, a late season fade in which they won just one of their next seven had all but extinguished their finals hopes heading into the final round.
With nothing but pride to play for, the Panthers annihilated the Knights in the final round, running in 9 tries to win 54-10. Nathan Cleary broke Michael Gordon’s club record for most points scored in a match, scoring 34 points from 4 tries and 9 goals.
General Manager Phil Gould resigned in April, saying that his role as Executive General Manger had become redundant.
Five co-captains were appointed in the pre-season as part of a leadership group before James Tamou was given the role in a solitary capacity after five rounds.
In the lower grades, the Canterbury Cup side were eliminated in the first week of the finals whilst the Jersey Flegg team fell one match short of the grand final when they lost the preliminary final.
The Mighty Panthers 