Panthers Crush Bulldogs to Keep Finals Dream Alive
Penrith’s clash with Canterbury was billed as one of those heavyweight finals games that could go either way, but what unfolded at Stadium Australia reminded everyone why the Panthers are in a league of their own. In a blistering 46–26 victory, the reigning premiers stamped their authority once again, proving that chasing them is still a dream for everyone else.
The Bulldogs came into this one with genuine belief. They’ve been trying to model themselves on Penrith’s system, and with a handful of ex-Panthers in blue and white, there was an added personal edge to the contest. For a while, the atmosphere suggested an upset could be in the air. But that hope didn’t last long. Once Penrith clicked into gear, the gulf in class was impossible to ignore.
Also Read:The first half was a spectacle in itself. Six tries in the opening forty minutes turned the contest into a show of ruthless power and precision. At times it felt excessive, almost unfair, like watching highlights on repeat. Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo, and Brian To’o were central as usual, orchestrating the attack and shutting down Canterbury’s options before they even began. To’o and Paul Alamoti, in particular, were phenomenal out wide — the pair combined for five tries and two assists, running for over half a kilometre with the ball.
But what made the performance even more dazzling was the unexpected contributors. Hooker Mitch Kenny, not known for his kicking, produced a perfect grubber that set up a try. Then there was Liam Henry, the tough bench prop, who capped his effort with an acrobatic finish more suited to a winger than a forward. By the time To’o set up Isaiah Papali’i with a circus act of a play, the score had ballooned to 36–8 and the contest was essentially over before halftime.
The second half was less about fireworks and more about managing the clock. Penrith simply held their shape, avoided major risks, and cruised to the finish line. For them, it was about booking a place in the preliminary final against Brisbane, a matchup already shaping as a blockbuster.
For the Bulldogs, the defeat stings but it isn’t the end of the story. There were glimpses of promise, especially from young Lachlan Galvin, who scored a first-half try that briefly gave his side a fighting chance. Canterbury’s season had once looked full of certainty, driven by their swarming style of defence and relentless energy. But injuries, forced changes, and a loss of momentum have cost them dearly. Against Penrith’s polished machine, any weakness was punished without mercy.
In the end, it all circles back to the same truth: Penrith’s dynasty shows no sign of slowing. Four premierships, fourteen straight finals wins, and still playing with the hunger of a side chasing its first. Other clubs, like Canterbury, can study the blueprint all they want, but as of now, the Panthers remain the masters. For the Bulldogs and everyone else, it’s still about waiting for tomorrow. For Penrith, it is very much about today.
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