By Jasper Bruce

Canberra could become the first team to score three consecutive wins over Penrith since their NRL dynasty began, but the Panthers have a simple plan to halt history.

Teams have come close to jagging back-to-back-to-back wins over Ivan Cleary’s men since they surged to heavyweight status during the 2020 season.

Parramatta, North Queensland and Melbourne have each won two in a row on two separate occasions, with the Cowboys coming the closest to snaring three-straight wins when they drew with Penrith last year.

But the Raiders could enter rarefied air at home on Sunday as Hudson Young (suspension) and Ethan Strange (ankle injury) return to bolster Ricky Stuart’s side.

“They’ve got an elite forward pack, they’ve got fast, strong agile outside backs,” Panthers prop Lindsay Smith told AAP.

“You put that together and it makes a pretty tough team.”

Canberra have broken Penrith’s hearts at the death in the sides’ last two encounters.

In late 2024, Matt Timoko picked off Jarome Luai’s pass and found Xavier Savage, who iced the Raiders’game-winning 95-metre try in the final 10 minutes.

A year later, ladder-leading Canberra clinched an extra-time victory in one of the games of the season at Mudgee’s Glen Willow Oval. Nathan Cleary’s attempt at game-winning field goal struck the post, with the ball falling to Jed Stuart and going through hands for Kaeo Weekes to score a remarkable try.

“Mudgee was obviously a tight game,” Smith said.

“We didn’t get the win, but we definitely proved at that point in the season that we were ready to go up against the best.”

Two last-gasp losses have left Penrith with a simple plan to make things right in round 10 and continue their stay atop the ladder.

“You can’t take any plays off against them,” Smith said of the Raiders.

“You’ve got strike all in their outside backs. They’re all tackle breakers and they can punish you on any sort of switch-off.

“You’ve just got to make sure you’re on for the full 80 minutes.”

Minor premiers last year, 13th-placed Canberra have struggled for consistency this season, but will be emboldened by an understrength defeat of Gold Coast last week.

“They’re a super dangerous team, the Raiders,” Panthers hooker Freddy Lussick told AAP.

“If you switch off for a second, they’ll make you pay.”