The Panthers’ troubling start to the 2025 NRL season—their worst in over a decade—has sparked scrutiny, with former premiership winner Matty Johns highlighting the absence of Cameron Ciraldo as a key reason behind their decline.
Penrith’s latest loss to the Cowboys dropped them to a 1-4 record, their poorest opening to a season since 2013. A once-elite defence has become a glaring weakness, with Ivan Cleary’s side conceding 118 points over the first four rounds—more than they allowed over the first 13 rounds of their dominant 2021 campaign.
Ciraldo, who served as Penrith’s defensive coach during their premiership-winning run, is now head coach at the Bulldogs. His impact at Canterbury has been profound: the Bulldogs have conceded just 58 points in five games—an NRL-best this season—and are emerging as genuine title contenders following a 20-0 win over Newcastle.
Johns believes Penrith’s defensive struggles stem from the departure of Ciraldo and the new generation of players not being exposed to his coaching philosophy. “If a team like Penrith is leaking points, that speaks to desire,” Johns said on *SEN Radio*. “A lot of the current group didn’t come through under Ciraldo, and it’s starting to show.”
While Cleary has acknowledged the unfamiliar territory his team is navigating, only a handful of last week’s squad have experienced more than a few consecutive defeats in their careers. Forward Matt Eisenhuth suggested the adversity could be a learning curve for the younger players, calling it “part of the NRL rollercoaster.”
Adding to their woes, the Panthers have made the second-most errors in the league this year with 66—far from their usually tidy standards, having led the competition in ball control during their 2020, 2022, and 2023 seasons. Back-rower Scott Sorensen, eyeing a return against the Dolphins, admitted: “We need to respect the ball more. That’s hurting us right now.”
As Penrith looks to rediscover their edge, the shadow of Ciraldo’s influence looms large—with his current success at the Bulldogs underscoring just how critical his presence was during the Panthers’ golden run.
