How Penrith shape up for the 2023 NRL grand final

Age: 27

NRL games: 130

No player is more important to the Panthers than their ever-reliable fullback. Penrith have won 16 of their last 17 games when Edwards has played and his kick returns, defensive resolve and roving presence in the red zone are all crucial. Won the Clive Churchill Medal for his pivotal role in Penrith's 2022 grand final victory.

Wing: Sunia Turuva

Age: 21

NRL games: 28

The only member of the Panthers' starting team not to have won a premiership already. Called into the side after Taylan May suffered a season-ending knee injury in February and hasn't missed a beat. Became the first Panther since 1984 to win the Dally M rookie of the year.

Centre: Izack Tago

Age: 21

NRL games: 47

Injuries disrupted the back half of his season and he was caught out defensively for Melbourne's only try in the preliminary final. But at his best, is among the most well-rounded centres in the NRL. Trained at right centre earlier in the week despite spending most of the season on the left.

Centre: Stephen Crichton

Age: 23

NRL games: 99

The grand final will be his last game for his junior club before joining Canterbury on a long-term deal. Has developed a reputation as one of the NRL's best big-game performers and could become only the second player in premiership history to score a try in four consecutive deciders.

Wing: Brian To'o

Age: 25

NRL games: 92

It's hard to think of a winger more important to their team than To'o is to the Panthers. Has scored six tries across his last three games, taking his total to a career-best 21 for the year, and remains one of the NRL's best players out of yardage.

Five-eighth: Jarome Luai

Age: 26

NRL games: 106

The flamboyant five-eighth has endured a tumultuous year, being cut from the NSW State of Origin side and dislocating his shoulder late in the regular season. Showed no signs of his injury on return last week and remains the Panthers' most unpredictable man with the footy.

Halfback: Nathan Cleary (co-captain)

Age: 25

NRL games: 158

The Panthers' game manager can etch his name among the all-time greats by becoming the first halfback since Peter Sterling to spearhead three consecutive premiership victories. Has been his usual self since returning from a hamstring injury in late July. His battle with fellow halfback Adam Reynolds will be must-watch rugby league.

Prop: Moses Leota

Age: 28

NRL games: 148

James Fisher-Harris's co-pilot up front and a crucial cog in the middle machine. Was big for the Panthers in both previous meetings with Brisbane this year and must be at his best again if they're to match it with the Broncos' starting middle unit.

Hooker: Mitch Kenny

Age: 25

NRL games: 82

Once Api Koroisau's deputy, Kenny has become the Panthers' main man at dummy half this year. Like Tago, injury hampered the end of his season but he got through 80 minutes of work in the preliminary final and is likely to see lots of time again on Sunday.

Prop: James Fisher-Harris

Age: 27

NRL games: 179

Rival props Payne Haas and Addin Fonua-Blake have grabbed the headlines this year but Fisher-Harris remains vital to the Panthers' hopes of winning the battle in the middle. His match-up with Haas will go a long way to deciding this game.

Second Row: Scott Sorensen

Age: 30

NRL games: 104

Has found a home on the left edge after two years almost exclusively coming off the bench. Was contemplating a move to England, or even dropping out of the game, at the end of 2020, but now has the chance to become a three-time premiership player.

Second Row: Liam Martin

Age: 26

NRL games: 103

The Panthers' agitator-in-chief will relish the chance to mark up against ex-teammate Kurt Capewell. Has put his injury frustrations of earlier in the season behind him to reassert his status as one of the NRL's best line-runners on an edge.

Lock: Isaah Yeo (co-captain)

Age: 28

NRL games: 219

The heart and soul of Penrith's forward pack. Fit, powerful and skilful despite his size, Yeo was immense in the preliminary final defeat of Melbourne. The importance of his role as a link between the edges cannot be understated.

Interchange: Jack Cogger

Age: 26

NRL games: 54

Returned to the NRL after two years in England and slotted seamlessly into the back-up playmaker role previously filled by Sean O'Sullivan and Tyrone May. Joins Newcastle next year for a chance to lock down a starting spot in the halves.

Interchange: Lindsay Smith

Age: 23

NRL games: 26

After two years on the fringes of the NRL team, has finally become a mainstay in 2023 and has the chance to cap a breakout year with a premiership ring. Still hunting his first NRL try.

Interchange: Spencer Leniu

Age: 23

NRL games: 82

Another premiership-winning Panther preparing to farewell his teammates. Has relished his role as Penrith's firecracker from the bench and is responsible for keeping the energy up when Fisher-Harris goes off for his first rest.

Interchange: Luke Garner

Age: 28

NRL games: 86

This ex-Tiger could go from wooden-spooner to premiership-winner in the space of a year. Has been in and out of the side but beats fellow recruit Zac Hosking and veteran Tyrone Peachey for a spot on the bench.

18th Player: Tyrone Peachey

Age: 32

NRL games: 207

Will only play in the event of multiple concussions, or if one is caused by an act of foul play that results in a sin-binning. It would be quite the story if he made it onto the field and capped off his first year back at the Panthers with a premiership ring.