The four-time defending premiers face a very different challenge in 2025 as they try to win the competition from outside the top four for the first time.
After finishing the regular season in seventh place the Panthers begin their quest for a fifth straight title with a sudden-death showdown against the Warriors in Auckland.
The Warriors sat fourth with two rounds to play but losses to the Eels and Sea Eagles in their last two matches have consigned them an elimination final against a Penrith side that knows what it takes to win big games in September.
The last time the Panthers lost a final was the 2021 qualifying final against the Rabbitohs, who they went on to beat in the decider to kick-start their reign.
The premiers have Brian To'o and Liam Martin to come back into the side after they were rested from Round 27 while the Warriors will be bolstered by the return of Wayde Egan (hip) and Jackson Ford (suspension).
Match: Warriors v Panthers
Finals Week 1 -
home Team
Warriors
6th Position
away Team
Panthers
7th Position
Venue: Go Media Stadium, Auckland
Team News
Warriors: Utility Sam Healey joins the bench in place of rookie secondrower Eddie Ieremia-Toeavahe in a change when the teams were finalised 60 minutes before kick off. The versatile Kurt Capewell reverts to the back row, with young gun Leka Halasima switching to centre in a late swap after being called into the starting side to replace Rocco Berry (shoulder). Hooker Wayde Egan (hip) and prop Jackson Ford (suspension) are both back for the sudden-death showdown. Taine Tauapiki is the 18th man.
Panthers: Brad Schneider will start at hooker with Luke Sommerton shifting to the bench in a late change to cover the absence of Mitch Kenny, who will miss the game with a hamstring injury. "We took Mitch off at half-time last week as a precaution but it's a little bit worse that we first thought," coach Ivan Cleary said. "It's still only a minor strain but it's just enough to not be at his absolute best which is what we need." Brian To'o and Liam Martin are back on deck after being given two games off to get over niggling injuries. Paul Alamoti retains his place on the wing with Thomas Jenkins dropping to 18th man.
Match: Warriors v Panthers
Finals Week 1 -
home Team
Warriors
away Team
Panthers
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-KlokstadFullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan Edwards
-
Winger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-ZelezniakWinger for Panthers is number 2 Paul Alamoti
-
Centre for Warriors is number 3 Adam PompeyCentre for Panthers is number 3 Izack Tago
-
Centre for Warriors is number 11 Leka HalasimaCentre for Panthers is number 4 Casey McLean
-
Winger for Warriors is number 5 Roger Tuivasa-SheckWinger for Panthers is number 5 Brian To'o
-
Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Chanel Harris-TavitaFive-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Blaize Talagi
-
Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Tanah BoydHalfback for Panthers is number 7 Nathan Cleary
Forwards
-
Prop for Warriors is number 8 James Fisher-HarrisProp for Panthers is number 8 Moses Leota
-
Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde EganHooker for Panthers is number 14 Brad Schneider
-
Prop for Warriors is number 10 Jackson FordProp for Panthers is number 10 Lindsay Smith
-
2nd Row for Warriors is number 4 Kurt Capewell2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Scott Sorensen
-
2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Marata Niukore2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Liam Martin
-
Lock for Warriors is number 13 Erin ClarkLock for Panthers is number 13 Isaah Yeo
Interchange
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Te Maire MartinInterchange for Panthers is number 9 Luke Sommerton
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Demitric VaimaugaInterchange for Panthers is number 15 Liam Henry
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Tanner Stowers-SmithInterchange for Panthers is number 16 Isaiah Papali'i
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 20 Samuel HealeyInterchange for Panthers is number 17 Luke Garner
Reserves
-
Replacement for Warriors is number 15 Eddie Ieremia-ToeavaReplacement for Panthers is number 18 Thomas Jenkins
Match Officials
- Referee: Grant Atkins
- Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Senior Review Official: Liam Kennedy
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Warriors have won three of their four finals games played in Auckland.
- The Panthers have won nine of their last 10 games against the Warriors.
- The Warriors have not defeated a Top 8 team since Round 14.
- The Panthers have won their last 12 finals matches.
- Warriors centre Adam Pompey has scored six tries in his last seven games.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
