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[VIDEO] Penrith Panthers vs Canterbury Bulldogs: NRL finals highlights, scores, blog

27th September, 2014
Teams

Panthers
1 Matt Moylan
2 Josh Mansour
3 Dean Whare
4 Jamal Idris
5 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
6 Will Smith
7 Jamie Soward
8 Sam McKendry
9 James Segeyaro
10 Brent Kite
11 Sika Manu
12 Matt Robinson
13 Nigel Plum

Interchange
14 Adam Docker
15 Jeremy Latimore
16 Ben Murdoch-Masila
17 Lewis Brown
18 Kevin Naiqama
19 Sam Anderson

Bulldogs
1 Sam Perrett
2 Corey Thompson
3 Josh Morris
4 Tim Lafai
5 Mitch Brown
6 Josh Reynolds
7 Trent Hodkinson
8 Aiden Tolman
9 Michael Ennis (c)
10 James Graham
11 Josh Jackson
12 Tony Williams
13 Greg Eastwood

Interchange
14 Reni Maitua
15 Dale Finucane
16 David Klemmer
17 Frank Pritchard
19 Moses Mbye
20 Harlan Alaalatoa

Kickoff: Saturday 27th September 7.55pm AEST
Venue: ANZ Stadium, Sydney
Last Meeting: Panthers 18 def Bulldogs 16, RD 3 2014
Referee: Shayne Hayne, Gavin Badger
Head-to-Head: Panthers 34, Bulldogs 48, 3 draws
Betting: Bulldogs $1.75, Panthers $2.12
The Panthers just keep on keeping on, but their opponents the Bulldogs are finding form at the right time. (AAP Image/Action Photographics, Grant Trouville)
Roar Guru
27th September, 2014
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28316 Reads

MATCH RESULT:

The Canterbury Bulldogs have secured a place in the 2014 NRL Grand Final following an 18-12 win against the Penrith Panthers at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night.

They will face the South Sydney Rabbitohs on Sunday evening to decide who will be crowned the 2014 NRL premiers.

FINAL SCORE:
Bulldogs 18
Panther 12

MATCH PREVIEW:

Can a rejuvenated Penrith Panthers make their first NRL Grand Final appearance since 2003, or will the battle-hardened Canterbury Bulldogs return to the big dance for a second time in three seasons? Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:50pm (AEST).

It’s amazing how fast things can change in modern day rugby league.

Three weeks ago the Bulldogs weren’t even guaranteed a place in the finals, and their final-round implosion against the Titans left even their most ardent fans fearing an early exit.

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For their part the Panthers were battling a horrendous injury toll that many thought would derail their campaign.

Yet here they both are; two teams, two very different journeys, and a place in the grand final at stake.

The Panthers earned the right to feature in the season’s penultimate game after a thrilling one-point win over the Roosters a fortnight ago.

All season long the Panthers have kept finding a way to win even when facing great adversity, and Ivan Cleary can be proud of the culture he has helped create at the foot of the mountains.

The fortnight break has given his side the chance to get over niggling injuries – and while Cleary is yet to finalise the team, the squad is virtually the same one that took the field against the Roosters. Adam Docker is the main inclusion after he was named on an extended bench that also includes Kevin Naiqama and Sam Anderson.

The Bulldogs have earned their place in the preliminary final the hard way. They’ve had to beat the Storm in Melbourne, and Manly in golden-point.

Des Hasler has again opted to name an extended squad for this match, with Moses Mbye and Harlan Alaalatoa coming into calculations after being named on the bench. Their starting line-up is otherwise unchanged.

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One player who can consider himself very fortunate to be playing is second-rower Josh Jackson who avoided a trip to the judiciary after being cleared of a chicken-wing in an incident against Manly.

Michael Ennis also escaped charges for a high-shot, and will lead the team out for what could be the final time.

Prediction
Both sides have brilliant goal-kickers and players capable of stepping up to kick field goals in a pressure situation. For that reason alone points will be at a premium in this one.

If the Panthers are to win then much of the responsibility will fall on Jamie Soward, Siku Manu and Brent Kite, who have all tasted premiership glory and know what is required to win the big moments in tight games.

Something is definitely brewing at the Panthers as they seem to have an excellent blend of youth and experience, but perhaps it’s not their time yet.

In what really is a lottery, the Bulldogs will just get home in a very tight tussle. Let’s just hope this game isn’t decided by a refereeing blunder.

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