Penrith are searching for a response on the run to NRL finals as statistics reveal the premiership heavyweights' recent trend of starting games slowly.

On their surge to premiership dominance in 2021-24, the Panthers made a habit of starting fast to gain early control and suffocate their opposition.

But it has been a different story amid a period of recent patchy form that could force Penrith from the top of the ladder by Thursday night.

The Panthers have leaked the opening try in five of their past seven games, and conceded inside five minutes in their past four.

By contrast, on their undefeated start to 2026, the Panthers gave up the first four-pointer in only one of five matches.

They have only conceded the opening try in one of their past 10 finals games, and on that occasion it was not until after the 20-minute mark.

A fast start appears essential on Thursday night in a top-of-the-table clash against the in-form Sydney Roosters.

"It's something that we've been really good at for a long time, but just over this last period, I guess other teams have been starting better," said coach Ivan Cleary.

"It's important that we can figure that out, do better there, because it'll help.

"It's not the end of the world, but it certainly helps if you start better."

The Panthers will sit lower than first on the ladder for the first time since March if they fall to the Roosters, who would take their place atop the pile.

After back-to-back defeats of Parramatta and Canberra, the sluggish Panthers trailed 22-0 against the Warriors before their eventual 28-12 loss last week.

"(We're) probably still just trying to find some rhythm after the Origin period," Cleary said.

"We've certainly had some good moments - I thought the Canberra game a couple of weeks ago was a really good sign. 

"Just looking to get a bit more rhythm and a bit more consistency."

The Roosters have won only one of the sides' 13 games since 2020, but stunned the highly-fancied Panthers in the corresponding match at CommBank Stadium last year.

The sides are also every chance to meet again during finals with more on the line.

"That's past and future stuff. We want a good performance because the goal is quite clear after this game," said coach Trent Robinson.

"We want to keep playing good footy and keep improving our footy."