Penrith insists there are positives to take from their much-discussed form slump as the four-time reigning premiers fight to kickstart their faltering NRL season.
The Panthers are in desperate need of a win over the Dolphins this Thursday after a fourth-straight loss consigned them to a 1-4 record, and their worst start to a year since 2013, last week.
"It's frustrating," veteran forward Matt Eisenhuth told AAP.
"We've been a team that's performed at a high standard for so long and we're not living up to those standards at the moment.
"I'm pretty upbeat still. It's obviously a different position to what everyone's used to here but the vibe is still good."
The numbers support coach Ivan Cleary's recent claim the four-game losing streak is "uncharted territory" for a Panthers side fighting to prolong their NRL dynasty.
Only nine of last week's 17 have played in more consecutive NRL defeats, and only six have played in five or more straight losses.
But Eisenhuth felt the young members of the playing group would become stronger for some adversity.
"How you navigate your way through it, it's all part of the NRL rollercoaster, you know? It's probably good for them to experience it," he said.
"They'll learn a lot of good lessons, as will the rest of the playing group, the senior boys too.
"In the long run, it's going to be good for us."
Second-rower Scott Sorensen knows all about the rewards that can come through patience and hard work.
Sorensen waited almost four years after his NRL debut in 2014 to score a maiden first-grade win in 2018, before being picked up by Penrith in 2021 and winning four straight premierships.
"I was on 0-5 for a long time," he told AAP with a laugh.
"I feel like I don't even need to say (to be patient) at the moment. This group is very grounded, very motivated and very realistic.
"We know we've just got to keep working hard. The result will eventually take care of itself if we keep turning up for each other."
Sorensen, who is tracking to return from a head knock to face the Dolphins, said the Panthers knew better than to start doubting their preparation or culture.
"It really isn't the end of the world at the moment. Everyone's still excited and hungry. We're busting our absolute backsides at training. Everybody knows that," he said.
"It's a challenge, it's exciting. We're not happy with where we're at.
"We know what that takes and we know what we need to do. It's just a difference between talking about it and doing it. We need to start doing it now. It's exciting, it really is."
The Panthers' confidence comes from knowing their problems have been largely self-inflicted.
Penrith have made the second-most errors of any team through five rounds (66). In comparison, they averaged the fewest of any team in the 2020, 2022 and 2023 seasons.
"Holding the ball would be nice," Sorensen said.
"We've got a real onus on controlling the ball and respecting the ball. We're probably letting ourselves down a bit in that category."
