Here is all you need to know about the Penrith Panthers 2023 Telstra Premiership draw.
The Lowdown
Teams they play twice
Broncos, Rabbitohs, Eels, Sea Eagles, Knights, Roosters, Cowboys, Storm.
Teams they play once
Raiders, Tigers, Warriors, Dragons, Dolphins, Titans, Sharks, Bulldogs.
Day-by-day breakdown
- Thursday: 6 games
- Friday: 6 games
- Saturday: 9 games
- Sunday: 3 games
Turnaround time
- 5 Days: 2 games
- 6 Days: 9 games
- 7+ Days: 12 games
Byes
Round 3, 13 and 19.
Season shapers: Panthers
Opening month
The premiers will be greeted by a rollicking home crowd when they kick off their title defence against Brisbane on Friday, March 3 before another BlueBet Stadium blockbuster against the Rabbitohs six days later. A bye in Round 3 is followed by the grand final rematch against western Sydney rivals Parramatta at CommBank Stadium to kick off Round 4.
Origin watch
The Panthers have a bye ahead of Origin I and Origin II, when a number of their stars will be away on interstate duty. In Round 16 ahead of Origin II, they face the Cowboys, who will also be below strength. They play the Dragons, Knights and Dolphins on the weekends after the three Origin matches.
The run home
The Sea Eagles (Round 24) and Titans (Round 25) are both away from home and could prove tricky at the end of a long campaign before two massive home games against the Eels (Round 26) and Cowboys (Round 27) to round out the regular season.
And another thing
The Panthers have 11 games at their BlueBet Stadium fortress in 2023, including five in the last seven rounds. Across the past three seasons, the Panthers have won 25 of 27 matches at home, the only teams to beat them being Parramatta and Melbourne.