Overview

• Penrith blitzed Canterbury with six first‑half tries, building a 36-8 lead that stands as the biggest halftime margin in an NRL finals match.
• Nathan Cleary orchestrated the victory in a near-masterclass, with the Panthers executing flawlessly through the opening 40 minutes.
• Paul Alamoti scored a hat-trick and Brian To'o crossed twice as Penrith repeatedly targeted the Bulldogs' edges.
• Canterbury missed 42 tackles in the first half and lacked injured captain Stephen Crichton, with Matt Burton shifted to centre in a reshaped backline.
• Injury watch for Penrith includes Liam Martin (ribs) and Casey McLean (shoulder), while Mitch Kenny returned to start at hooker; the Bulldogs are out in straight sets.