Penrith Panthers

Currently an assistant coach at the table-topping Panthers, Barrett accepted a three-year offer to assume the head coaching position at the Bulldogs beginning next season after Dean Pay parted ways with the club earlier this year.

Penrith's emphasis on cleaning up the ruck is paying dividends with the Panthers going from the NRL's worst offenders to the new kings of the play-the-ball.

The top-eight is officially locked in two weeks out from finals. It’s made up of a couple of teams that have coasted through the season and some that are lucky to have snagged a spot.

Those of us with an elephant’s memory or perhaps a fondness for a touch of larceny require no grand effort to recall the first time Penrith, in position to win the minor premiership with several rounds remaining,

Those of us with an elephant’s memory or perhaps a fondness for a touch of larceny require no grand effort to recall the first time Penrith, in position to win the minor premiership with several rounds remaining,