Penrith take pride in the 31 men who aren't there to be picked for this year's NRL grand final. From the likes of Viliame Kikau and Api Koroisau, to the more recent departures of Stephen Crichton and Spencer Leniu. Come Sunday night's grand final showdown with Melbourne, less than half of Penrith's team were there for the start of their dynasty.
And only eight players remain from their first grand final against the Storm in 2020. "It does give me pride," captain Isaah Yeo said. "Not pride just within the playing group but pride within the club, and the pathways they've got.
"Whether it's recruitment or pathways. The club's done a wonderful job to be able to give us an opportunity to have a squad that can compete. "Then off the back of that, the players who are still here and have stayed, they've really grown as leaders of the club.
" In total, Penrith have used 61 players through their dynasty, dating back to an upset win over two-time defending premiers Sydney Roosters in round one of 2020. Caleb Aekins was the fullback that night, before he was later let go to Canberra after being usurped for the No.1 jersey by Dylan Edwards.
He is one of 31 men to have played first grade for the club and left since the start of 2020. Some went in the same fashion as him, while others like Kikau, Koroisau, Crichton, and Leniu served as bigger body blows to the Panthers. Most have been planned for, with Penrith knowing they are unable to compete with players signing their biggest contracts of.
