Deciding who is the greatest player to have ever played for a club can be a difficult task. Factors such as player statistics, longevity with the club, and their impact on the team’s success all come into play.Overall, the choice of the greatest player is subjective, and some clubs might have an easier time making that decision than others. For the Penrith Panthers, the task of choosing the greatest player is challenging, given the number of outstanding players who have donned the team’s jersey since its inception in 1967. Popular choices for the title of “the greatest” include recent multiple premiership winners Nathan Cleary, James Fisher-Harris, Isaah Yeo, and Dylan Edwards. However, as they are still relatively early in their careers, it may be premature to bestow them with the title.
Other players who have left a lasting impact on the Panthers include Steve Carter, Rhys Wesser, Ryan Girdler, Tony Puletua, and Craig Gower. While prolific and record holders, they might not have the same claim to the title of “the greatest” player. There were also high-profile imports such as Petero Civoniceva and English internationals Bill Ashurst and Mike Stephenson, all of whom made significant contributions to the club.
However, the title of “the greatest Panther of all time” is often linked to Greg Alexander. With over 230 games played for the club across 14 seasons, Alexander has been a standout player. He won the Dally M Medal in 1985, becoming the first and only Penrith player to do so. Not only was he a prolific try-scorer and goal-kicker, but he was also a leader, captaining the club to their first premiership in 1991. These achievements solidify Alexander’s claim to the title of the greatest Panther of all time.