![Stephen Crichton (l) and Brian To'o are among Penrith players in the mix for Origin selection. Stephen Crichton (l) and Brian To'o are among Penrith players in the mix for Origin selection.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-feed-data/64be30cc-eba8-40c9-af10-0a848db7d818.jpg/r0_0_800_600_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Penrith's record-breaking depth could prove their saviour during the State of Origin period after recording the greatest start to a season across the top rugby league grades.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Panthers remain unbeaten in the NRL and can become just the second side in 25 years to record a 9-0 start with victory against Newcastle on Friday night.
Beyond that they are also unbeaten in reserve grade, with the young Panthers four points clear of Western Suburbs at the top of the ladder.
It marks the only time in the 113-year history of competition in Australia that a club has won through the first eight rounds of first and reserve grade, according to historian Andrew Ferguson of the Rugby League Project.
Incredibly, the Panthers' success doesn't end there.
The club's under-21s Jersey Flegg team have lost just one game, with that defeat by one point to St George Illawarra a fortnight ago.
Beyond that, feeder club St Marys are also unbeaten in the third-tier Ron Massey Cup, while they are first with just one loss in the fourth-tier Sydney Shield.
Overall, it gives the club and their feeder teams the incredible record of 33-2 across the top five grades.
"We take the whole-of-club approach here," coach Ivan Cleary said.
"Being a development club, it's really important it starts at a young age.
"Our Flegg team is doing an amazing job, because a lot of those young guys are playing in Cup.
"They've done a great job so far."
All of which bodes well come next month.
While the Panthers avoided the challenge of mid-season Origin in 2020 due to COVID-19 pushing the series to November, it's likely they'll be hit hard this year.
Nathan Cleary is a certainty for the NSW No.7 jersey while Jarome Luai could also feature in the Blues' halves, with the Panthers likely to turn to Matt Burton and Tyrone May during the period.
Brian To'o and Stephen Crichton remain outside chances for Origin, with Brent Naden an obvious replacement option.
Reserve grade players would likely be looked at for forward and bench depth, given Isaah Yeo and Kurt Capewell's looming Origin selections.
Players will miss just one game against Wests Tigers, but the Panthers could opt to manage their workloads further
"We're confident of our depth," Ivan Cleary said.
"There's a fair few areas that haven't been tested this year. But the guys below us are doing really well.
"We're ready for it, whatever happens.
"We know who we are playing and when we're playing.
"We've got a pretty good idea of who we won't have.
"Whatever comes of that comes of that."
PENRITH'S RECORD START:
NRL: 8-0 record, +152 for-and-against
NSW CUP: 7-0 +165
JERSEY FLGG: 5-1 +113
RON MASSEY: 7-0, +250*
SYDNEY SHIELD: 6-1, +186*
OVERALL: 33-2, +866
* Denotes feeder team St Marys
Australian Associated Press