Penrith are the undisputed champions of rugby league and they've made a belt to prove it.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Literally.
The Panthers' official motto for this year's finals series was hunting history, as they pursued and then completed the first three-peat of the NRL-era with the 26-24 grand final triumph over Brisbane.
But players also worked under a separate theme of "undisputed champions", after the idea was pitched to them by coaching staff late in the season.
A wrestling-style belt was made, with the Panthers having engraved on it the results of their matches as they marched through the finals.
To the left of centre is their 32-6 week-one scoreline over the Warriors, and to the right reads "Panthers 38, Storm 4".
"We added the Warriors in that first week and then Melbourne last week," utility Jack Cogger told AAP after Sunday night's grand final.
"And then the final piece got put on it tonight."
That final piece is a large gold logo that reads: 2023 NRL Premiers, Undisputed.
"We have a theme each year and this year it's the 'Undisputed' theme," said superstar Nathan Cleary, attributing the idea to his father and coach Ivan.
"From the outside looking in, people might think it's a bit lame but for us it gives us a purpose.
"I don't know how he (Ivan) came up with it. I think he was just looking at different athletes and teams from all sorts of different sports. Just champions, teams that keep winning."
The belt was one of several aspects to celebrations as the Panthers revelled with some 8,000 supporters at their fan day at BlueBet Stadium on Monday.
At the corresponding event last year, Penrith players landed in hot water for their comments about runners-up and traditional rivals Parramatta which pundits dubbed arrogant.
No players addressed the crowd this time.
The event's MC said a bout of laryngitis had silenced prop James Fisher-Harris, who received the most backlash 12 months ago for referring to the Eels as Penrith's "sons".
In his own speech, a husky Ivan Cleary made a sly dig at Brisbane's polarising fullback Reece Walsh, who Nathan evaded in scoring the match-winner.
"He stepped past two or three defenders, I think it was Reece Walsh?" the coach said before cheers erupted.
"Reece Walsh is a phenomenal player. That kid's going to have an amazing career," he added, before one fan responded with: "He's a flog."
Panthers Group chief executive Bryan Fletcher laid out the club's plans for more success.
When he mentioned alterations to Penrith Stadium would force the Panthers to play home games in Parramatta in 2025, the crowd booed.
"I'm with you, but we've got no ground here," he said.
On the night of the win, Jarome Luai also posted an Instagram story asking, "Who's got work tomorrow???" - a reference to his now-famous State of Origin crack at his critics.
At least one Panthers player was spotted wearing "Up the Pahs" sunglasses, after the club received criticism for mocking the Warriors' "Up the Wahs" slogan after their week-one finals win.
Australian Associated Press
