Brisbane stars Payne Haas and Kurt Capewell both admit they are "chasing Penrith" in the race to be NRL premiers in 2023.
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The signs so far this season are that the Broncos are catching the defending back-to-back champions and closing the gap in key areas between the two outfits.
Both are on 36 competition points and on track for a top-two spot, but Ivan Cleary's men have the edge in finals experience and defensive clout.
Brisbane second-rower Capewell won the 2021 title with the Panthers and is well qualified to assess which team are the barometer for premiership favouritism.
"They are the benchmark. Everyone is chasing Penrith," Capewell said ahead of Friday night's clash with Parramatta at the Gabba.
"They won it last year. That is how it is. They are on top. We are chasing them."
The Panthers have been masters at winning games through the State of Origin period and other occasions when their best players are unavailable.
The Broncos are also ticking that box. Last week they beat North Queensland without inspirational skipper Adam Reynolds. They have won when talismanic fullback Reece Walsh was suspended and without previously injured key forwards Thomas Flegler and Jordan Riki.
Capewell noted other similarities between the two clubs.
"Youth. Energy. Everyone gets along. It is a good vibe at the moment," he said.
"It comes from hard work and we have done plenty of that. We are looking to build on that this week and hopefully come away with a win for Payne's 100th (NRL game).
"We are all trying to grow and develop as players. We know we are not the finished product yet. We are in a constant chase of the finished product. I don't think there is an end line."
Brisbane have improved their defensive resolve this year and maintained a high standard.
They concede 17.4 points each match on average this season, not as good as Penrith's 12.1 points per game.
Capewell still believes the Broncos can knock the Panthers off their perch in the big games to come.
"If we play our footy to the standard that we can I think we can beat any team," he said.
"So I look forward to the challenge of that."
Prop forward Haas has played one NRL final, a 58-0 thrashing by Parramatta in 2019.
"I can't wait to get back there (to finals). We have to get there first," he said.
"Obviously, that (2019) game is not one to remember. Hopefully with this bunch of guys we can do something special.
"These last few weeks people are starting to see how good we are and we know we can go up a few more levels. I'm excited to see where we can go.
"Penrith have been the benchmark. They have been in the last (three) grand finals. There's lots of respect for them. We are chasing them. They are the best team at the moment."
Australian Associated Press
