Cleary leads Panthers’ record-breaking finals blitz to crush Bulldogs

Penrith’s dynasty remains alive after a ruthless 46-26 demolition of the Bulldogs, highlighted by a record-breaking first half in which Nathan Cleary orchestrated a masterclass that left fans and commentators calling it “rugby league perfection.”

The Panthers stormed to a 36-8 halftime lead, completing all 20 sets, with Paul Alamoti bagging a hat-trick and Blaize Talagi starring alongside Cleary.

Despite injuries to Casey McLean and Liam Martin, and Brad Schneider’s report for a cannonball tackle, the premiers looked unstoppable as they advanced to face the Broncos in the preliminary final.

For Canterbury, who sat atop the ladder earlier in the season, the heavy defeat exposed a misfiring spine and signaled more questions than answers heading into 2026.