Final Four: Penrith Panthers

For the past five months of the Telstra Premiership season the Panthers appeared to be cruising towards another title but the past fortnight's run of events has potentially turned the club's run home on its head.

The six-week knee injury to Jarome Luai was quickly compounded by a five-match ban to halves partner Nathan Cleary and within 48 hours the Panthers had lost their star combination for the run towards the finals.

In the side's favour, they're three wins clear of the Cowboys and four wins clear of the Sharks and appear on track for a second minor premiership in three years.

The Panthers only need to win one or two more games to finish on top of the ladder but if they went through several defeats in a row with matchups against the Storm and Rabbitohs in the next fortnight, will soon find themselves under pressure.

How many games they win without Cleary and Luai in the final four weeks of the season, and what sort of side the pair come back into for the opening game of the finals, are the most intriguing questions of all.

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The final four games

• Round 22 v Storm (H)
• Round 23 v Rabbitohs (A)
• Round 24 v Warriors (H)
• Round 25 v Cowboys (A)

The Panthers have a a difficult run home with two top four clashes plus a grand final rematch schedule with the Rabbitohs.

The Bunnies, fighting for a top eight finish, will be desperate to seek revenge and knock off a top four side before the finals while the Storm will also look to pile on some pain after their preliminary final loss last season.

The minor premiership will likely be sewn up by the time they face the Cowboys in Round 25, which could see coach Ivan Cleary rest several key players before their finals campaign starts the following week.

Home, sweet home

Penrith have an impeccable record at home, dropping just one game in tight fashion against the Eels this year for 29 wins in their last 31 matches.

They've made BlueBet Stadium the toughest road trip in the competition for any visiting side and will finish the regular season with matches against the Storm and Warriors before a likely home final in week one of the finals.

On the road

Two away will prove difficult as the side adjusts without the services of Luai and Cleary as they take on the Rabbitohs at Accor Stadium and a final round road trip to Townsville in Round 25.

Their clash against the Cowboys could see the return of Luai, according to coach Ivan Cleary on Monday, but also see many players rested with a lot to ride out over the next month of the competition.

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