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
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.
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.
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.
scott
Guest
My reply was about Roosters fans...
Jo
Guest
Was an awesome game , only 1 thing missing is the passion N spirit of Reni Maitua , this guy needs to play in the grandfinal , he has worked so hard N overcome so much even it's interchange , we definitely need his drive , go the "DOGGIES"
Benny
Guest
I disagree, throughout last week everybody still thought friday night was the gf. It was said so many times. And the roosters still showed why they are the best team when they are on, it was just lack on intensity in the end that resulted in their inability to put together an 80 min performance
Benny
Guest
Yeah haha saw that, they must have read my comment
The Barry
Guest
It's only third man in if someone throws a punch. Honestly get a bit of perspective. The Reynolds bashing for things that happen all the time by all teams is boring.
The Barry
Guest
The level of bias against Reynolds is amazing. Now giving away a penalty at the end of a semi final trying to slow the game down makes him a grub. It's a move anyone would do but woah when Reynolds does it...!
Jean Smith
Guest
I agree I hope South Sydney win but I feel it could be full of surprises it's like something unexpected could happen but hopefully not. I would like South Sydney to finish this season on a high being how long it has been since they last won and they have had a really good season it would be good if they got their ultimate reward with a premiership. Jean
Jean Smith
Guest
I agree I hope South Sydney win but I feel it could be full of surprises it's like something unexpected could happen but hopefully not. I would like South Sydney to finish this season on a high being how long it has been since they last won and they have had a really good season it would be good if they got their ultimate reward with a premiership. Jean
Jean Smith
Guest
I agree I hope South Sydney win but I feel it could be full of surprises it's like something unexpected could happen but hopefully not. I would like South Sydney to finish this season on a high being how long it has been since they last won and they have had a really good season it would be good if they got their ultimate reward with a premiership. Jean
McCow
Guest
Was there one in 2004?
JayBob
Guest
+1 Shown it and proven it.
JayBob
Guest
This guy, every article, almost as bad as Will. Did you not notice Soward firing up at Graham in the first half? Lafai would destroy Soward period so you're point is void. On the other hand Soward firing up to Graham? Seriously, that's the only example we ever need about this stupid rule. For some reason it's only ever Dogs players that are exploiting it, "Ennis is so tough now that there is a no punch rule". Ummm, no Ennis has been doing it forever hence why you sore losers hate him so much.
The Barry
Roar Guru
back under your rock mate...stick around for five minutes and we'll see who's held in what regard.
The Barry
Roar Guru
haahaha...if that's what you're actually saying...maybe you should learn to express yourself better. "Take Luke out,Korosai comes in..loss is minimal" - no mention of anyone else in the team. No, no,no genius I said hookers and I only mentioned hookers but what I actually meant was the whole team is better... Even if that is what you meant, Isaac Luke is one of the best in the comp at choosing when to run from dummy half...so replacing him with a rookie is not possibly minimal. unce, tice, fee tines a madee... hahahahahahahaha....
Dufeyz
Guest
Panthers literally just signed Russel Packer. Interesting. xD
The eye
Guest
What I'm saying genius is that Luke is the least of your worries..he's just been feeding it on to the real hurt in the side..anyway it's past your bedtime off you go...
The Barry
Guest
Everyone thought before the semis started that it would be easts v souths GF. Over the last three weeks the roosters have shown they're not that team.
Benny
Guest
Yeah true. We showed at stages in each match why we are still the best side in the comp when every team is playing at their best, but that's irrelevant if you can't sustain it for long enough and we couldn't do that when it mattered
Benny
Guest
I haven't heard one person other than dogs fans, and maybe panthers fans, say that last night wasn't realistically the grand final. Heck there's even been articles written on this site about it. Not taking anything away from the dogs, theyve beaten whats in front of them and gotten to the gf, but imo souths have been the best this year followed by the roosters
The Barry
Guest
"Pretty much everybody" = that's what I think.