Can Penrith Panthers make the top-four? Reigning premiers set for dream draw

Just a few months ago, Penrith were flailing about in what Ivan Cleary deemed "uncharted waters" as their premiership dynasty finally appeared to be on its last legs.

After a successful venture over to Las Vegas in the opening round, the Panthers suddenly found winning to be an impossible task.

They lost an unprecedented five matches in a row upon their return from Sin City as the coach struggled to comprehend what was happening to his all-conquering outfit during increasingly fraught post-match press conferences.

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Can Penrith make the top-four after poor form firmly put behind them? 

There were several false dawns that had many announcing that the men from the foot of the mountains were back.

They followed a 40-12 battering of Sydney Roosters with a loss to Manly, while a comprehensive win over Brisbane at Magic Round preceded a draw with North Queensland and a defeat to Newcastle.

After their loss to the Knights, where they were forced to do without their State of Origin representatives for the first time, the outlook seemed glum.

Penrith had already tasted defeat six times in their opening 10 matches and this tally was surely going to be added to as they tried to navigate the tricky representative period ahead.

However, that disappointing afternoon in Bathurst is actually the last time they have been beaten as they have since rattled off five wins in a row.

This run has resulted in them climbing up the ladder at a rate of knots, signalling to everyone that they are, in fact, not finished. 

And this winning feeling could keep rolling on for the foreseeable future thanks to an enticing draw.

Penrith Panthers' dream draw during NRL run-in

The Panthers face an injury-ravaged South Sydney side in Round 20, who are at the opposite end of the form table after losing six games on the bounce.

They then meet fellow stragglers, the Wests Tigers and Gold Coast before heading to the Hunter for a revenge mission against the Knights in Round 23.

By this stage, the Panthers could be in the midst of a nine-game winning streak when they host Melbourne in a grand final rematch.

Out of their last four matches in the regular season, they have the chance to make ground on three top-four candidates in the Storm, Canberra and Canterbury.

They currently sit five points behind New Zealand, seven behind the Dogs and Storm and nine behind the Raiders with a game in hand. Meanwhile, all of these top sides have had their full quota of byes, except for Ricky Stuart's men. 

The history in the NRL is black and white - you must finish in one of the top four spots on the ladder to win the premiership. 

So, with this in mind, the Panthers simply must do all they can to try and reel in, more than likely, the Warriors during the run-in. 

If they manage to do so, there won't be many people doubting that they will be able to win the title for the fifth time in a row. 

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