Overview

• Penrith surged to a 36-8 halftime lead, the biggest in NRL finals history, and closed out a 46-26 win at Accor Stadium.
• Nathan Cleary controlled proceedings as Paul Alamoti scored a hat-trick and Brian To'o added a double behind dominant middle-forward work.
• Canterbury missed 42 tackles in the first half, played without captain Stephen Crichton after a failed fitness test, and exited the finals in straight sets.
• The Panthers climbed from last after 12 rounds to within one game of the decider, continuing a remarkable in-season turnaround.
• Penrith travel to Suncorp Stadium next Sunday to face Brisbane, sitting one win from a sixth straight grand final and extending their finals streak to 14 consecutive victories.