He admits they have some improving to do to catch up with the heavyweights but Penrith caretaker Cameron Ciraldo remains quietly confident his team can give the title a shake.
The Panthers will meet Cronulla in a semi-final next week after scoring a composed 27-12 win over the Warriors on the back of a James Maloney masterclass.
But while Penrith took full advantage of a Warriors outfit rattled by a first-half injury to captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Ciraldo concedes they have to find another gear next week.
Asked how much damage his team could do in the finals after their week-one win, Ciraldo said: "We've got to get through next week first and that's going to be a tough game.
"Whoever we play, it's going to have to take a big effort. We're going to need to be better than what we were even tonight."
It is the third straight year the Panthers have advanced to the final six, having been knocked out by Canberra two years ago and Brisbane last year.
Pressed on whether he felt he had a team that could do something special this year, Ciraldo said: "Yeah. I feel like if we can win next week, then hopefully we can win the week after.
"But we've got a big job to get ready for next week because there's no point talking three weeks ahead if we don't get through next week."
The contest against the Sharks comes almost 12 months after the Panthers' decision to release then-skipper Matt Moylan in what was resulted in a player-swap for Maloney.
It shapes as an intriguing match-up for the pair, with Maloney finishing the year as captain following a season-ending shoulder injury to Peter Wallace.
Maloney proved why is considered a finals specialist with a classy display against the Warriors, effecting a 40-20 kick, scoring a try, and forcing two line dropouts.
He has now played in eight of the past nine finals series, winning a combined 11 of 16 matches across his time at the Warriors, Sydney Roosters, and Cronulla.
Panthers second-rower Isaah Yeo said both Maloney and halves partner Nathan Cleary have found form at the right time of the season.
"(Maloney) was vocal the way he steers the team around, kicking at the right time. He'll be kicking three and four but they'll be controlled kicks," Yeo said.
"He's the orchestrator out there.
"I thought Nathan was exceptional there as well. I thought he controlled it when he had to. I thought his kicking was really good today."
