Not since their inaugural title in 1991 have the Panthers won the minor premiership but the rebuilding that has been going on at the foot of the Blue Mountains over the past two years has Ivan Cleary's men vying for top spot on the ladder.

They were the only team in the competition without a player in any of the three State of Origin matches this year. Nine NRL games remain, and they have a genuine chance of getting their hands on the J.J. Giltinan Shield.

That is not the only case of history potentially repeating for Penrith – the last time they won the premiership, in 2003, they preceded this by finishing the two previous seasons in 12th and 14th positions. There is a similar feeling this year with the Panthers coming into 2014 on the back of 10th and 15th placings over the last two years.

A decade ago the likes of Luke Lewis, Luke Rooney and Trent Waterhouse  came through the ranks to lead Penrith to glory. This time around it is the likes of Matt Moylan and Bryce Cartwright.

Now the Origin series is done and dusted, the race is on for the minor premiership. Penrith, Canterbury, Manly, South Sydney and the Sydney Roosters are the frontrunners.

While the Broncos and Warriors are dark horses, Penrith could end Brisbane's minor premiership aspirations with a win at Sportingbet Stadium on Monday night.

BULLDOGS (26 points, +66)

Tigers (a), Cowboys (h), Panthers (h), Broncos (a), Eels (a), Tigers (h), Rabbitohs (h), Titans (a)

The run home: The Bulldogs have a relatively easy run home with only three of their final eight games against teams now in the top eight. With five-eighth Josh Reynolds still to serve another three weeks as part of a four-match ban for a shoulder charge on Will Chambers in Origin III, the pressure is on Trent Hodkinson to lead the team around the park. As Josh Morris is recovering from a knee injury, the Bulldogs should be at full strength at the business end of the season. The Bulldogs have the second-best defensive record in the competition behind South Sydney, and their round 25 showdown could go a long way to determining this year's minor premiers. Canterbury also have the added luxury of playing six of their final eight games at ANZ Stadium, albeit two of these being away games against the Tigers and Eels.

SEA EAGLES (26 points, +111)

Dragons (a), Warriors (a), Broncos (h), Rabbitohs (a), Titans (a), Eels (a), Panthers (h), Cowboys (a)

The run home: The Sea Eagles have a difficult two months heading into the finals with just two of their final eight games at home at Brookvale Oval. Geoff Toovey's men have to travel to Auckland, Gold Coast and Townsville. They welcome back Anthony Watmough from suspension and winger Jorge Taufua (injury) against the Dragons on Monday night, but back-rower Glenn Stewart is not due back for around another month. The last two rounds are likely to be vital for their minor premiership aspirations; they have games against Penrith at home and the Cowboys in Townsville to finish the regular season.

PANTHERS (24 points, +81)

Broncos (h), Roosters (a), Sharks (h), Bulldogs (a), Dragons (a), Cowboys (h), Storm (h), Sea Eagles (a), Warriors (h)

The run home: If the Penrith Panthers win the minor premiership, they would have well and truly earned it. They have one of the toughest run homes in the competition, six of their final nine games of the season being against teams now in the top eight. The Panthers should have halfback Peter Wallace back from a knee injury in time for the finals, but his absence over the next month could prove costly for Penrith's minor premiership aspirations. The Panthers were the only team in the NRL not to have a player represented in the State of Origin series, which could hold them in good stead. Luckily for Penrith, their games against the out-of-town Broncos, Cowboys, Storm and Warriors are at home in the next two months, while their away games are at other Sydney venues.

RABBITOHS (22 points, +112)

Eels (a), Raiders (a), Knights (h), Sea Eagles (h), Broncos (h), Cowboys (h), Bulldogs (a), Roosters (a)

The run home: Unlike the case in the last two seasons, the Rabbitohs have not peaked too soon. They have been guilty of falling away in the finals the last two seasons, but this year they seem to be timing their run to play their best football when it matters most. With Luke Keary back from a shoulder injury suffered in the Nines, the Rabbitohs can now work on the formula they planned to use in the off-season. They have some injury concerns surrounding Dylan Walker and George Burgess, but nothing that will hinder their performance come finals time. They have four of their final eight games against teams now in the top eight. They have a huge final fortnight of the regular season with blockbuster clashes against the Bulldogs and Roosters to round out the season.

ROOSTERS (22 points, +104)

Panthers (h), Knights (a), Dragons (h), Titans (h), Tigers (a), Warriors (a), Storm (h), Rabbitohs (h)

The run home: The Roosters play only one team now in the top eight over the next five weeks, but Trent Robinson's men will face a huge test in the final three weeks as they play teams all pushing for minor premiership honours. The Roosters will welcome back Michael Jennings in time for the finals and have also been boosted by the return of Boyd Cordner from an ankle injury. They too have not reproduced the type of form that resulted in their winning last year' premiership. The Roosters, however, are in good shape to push for minor premiership honours. The final round showdown against South Sydney at Allianz Stadium could well again decide who finishes the regular season on top of the ladder.

Correction: An earlier version of this story stated Penrith had a 23-year title drought. It is 11.