Is Penrith back to its 'scary' best?

For a side that has made it to the preliminary finals every year this decade, there is little doubt behind the talent and skill of the Penrith Panthers.

But after five seasons of dominance, could they be reaching a new level of performance?

Having lost last year’s preliminary final to the Brisbane Broncos after being 14-nil up, the Panthers entered the pre-season with a point to prove.

And in the first four rounds of the season, that chip on the shoulder attitude has been at the fore during their four-game unbeaten run.

Having scored 35 points a game and beating their opponents by an average of 27.5 points, Penrith is now the clear-cut premiership favourite.

However, Jimmy Smith would go one step further, believing that their current form might be the best the Mountain Men have shown since 2020.

“I think what we’ve seen now throughout the course of four games, I reckon you could say in the incredible era they’ve had, the Grand Final in 2020 and the four premierships and the prelim loss last year,” Smith said on SEN’s NRL Crunch Time.

“You could argue that as a four-week stretch, certainly as a four-week (stretch) to start the season, this is the best they’ve looked ever in their history.

“Which is scary for the rest of the competition.”

Co-host Blake Austin would agree, noting how well placed they are to adapt to the speed of the game, particularly with their forwards.

“(They’re) well placed for the modern game,” Austin explained.

“Where they get you is transition. But the other place they get you is they put a dent in you.

“The moment you look back to the other side of the field, they have eight or nine men all in position to play footy.

“So, the Knights, we watched them yesterday make a few inroads, and it takes them two or three plays to regroup and get in position.

“Penrith get you on the very next play. Isaah Yeo (is) a big reason for that.

“But they've also unearthed a couple of guys in Billy Phillips, Lindsay Smith. These guys are 115 kg but can move the ball like halfbacks.”

The Panthers will look to continue their undefeated start into Round 5 against the Melbourne Storm.

That will take place this Friday from 8pm AEST at CommBank Stadium.