Penrith are one win from their first grand final in 17 years after a first-half hat-trick from Nathan Cleary made the Sydney Roosters’ shot at a three-peat even more difficult.
Cleary racked up 21 points of his own as the Panthers held on to win 29-28, staving off a second-half comeback from the two-time defending premiers.
While Cleary got the points, halves partner Jarome Luai was just as good in his first finals match, but second-rower Viliame Kikau could face a ban for a dangerous tackle.
Penrith now advance through to the preliminary final, while the Roosters face a sudden-death semi-final between the winner of Canberra and Cronulla.
The Tri-colours also have their concerns, with Jared Waerea-Hargreaves on report for a high shot while now suffering two straight losses after last week’s thumping from South Sydney.
The win also took Penrith’s winning streak to 16, making for the equal-third biggest of all time.
But they didn’t do it easy at Panthers Stadium.
After leading 28-10 with 27 minutes to go, the Roosters scored two tries in 11 minutes through James Tedesco and Josh Morris to put themselves back in the match.
A field goal from Clearly looked as if it would seal the match with two minutes to play at 29-22, but Penrith gave away a penalty from the kick off and Angus Crichton scored.
The Panthers were able to hold on, with Liam Martin making a last-ditch tackle on Morris and Kikau getting a finger on a 40-metre field goal attempt from Luke Keary.
That wasn’t the first time the Panthers had to rally.
After Morris and Freddy Lussick scored early, Penrith were facing their biggest deficit since they were forced to come from behind to shock the Roosters in round one.
Spending just 74 minutes behind on the scoreboard in their 1450 on the field since the competition’s restart, it was fair to ask if Penrith would have the answers.
But when it mattered they had more than enough.
It began in defence when Josh Mansour, Luai, Edwards and Stephen Crichton ganged up to force Morris over the sideline.
From the second tackle off the scrum, the Roosters were caught offside. And from there, it was all Penrith.
Mansour had their first when Luai and Kikau combined in the lead up on the last, before Cleary went in under the posts from an Edwards ball.
Luai and Cleary then combined to give Penrith the lead, with the five-eighth grubbering for his diving five-eighth to scoop the ball up in front of Tedesco and score.
Cleary’s next was again courtesy of some nice lead up play from Luai, when he went across field and allowed Crichton to straighten up and put the No.7 over.
And when Luai batted back a Cleary bomb for Tyrone May to put Crichton over at the start of the second half, the game looked over before the Roosters’ near comeback.
Chris.P.Bacon
Guest
Good win by your boys Albo! They still have plenty of improvement in them - not great defence at the end but they'll work on that. You wanted a 'Mahomes-like' performance from Nathan and he sure delivered. Enjoy the week off mate! #Albodouble ;)
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Well done Albo! What a game that was. I thought your halves were superb in attack and Yeo and Martin were incredible. Luai missed a couple of tackles but at least he gets his body in front. Kickau needs to help him more. I thought his was a very poor effort on Tede. ( still he's not he first player to have trouble with that). I said to my grandson who watched it with me that the thing about the Panthers that I love so much is that as soon as they win a ruck they go into blitz mode. Doesn't matter where they win it they immediately hit it with everything. The Cows on the other hand give it to Josh Maguire who makes a great 10m gain and everyone is very happy with that. SIGH. I think you are now a huge show to be in the big one. Just great for the game.
Albo
Roar Rookie
A great game of finals footy and advertisement for our great game ! Obviously I’m pleased my Panthers got up, but somewhat concerned about one of their worst defensive performances of the season. 5 easy tries conceded for just the first time this year ? They made too many dumb errors , gave away silly penalties, and at 28-10 really should have finished off the Roosters, not let them back into the match. Maybe that was just the supposed finals inexperience most pundits had warned about ? But defence on the Panthers left edge around Luai and Kikau was ordinary at times and needs to get sorted before their next match. I’m inclined to give Capewell more time there, which may be forced on them anyway if Kikau cops a suspension. On the other hand the Panthers were strong in fighting back from an early deficit to take complete control of the came by early in the second half, only to give a sniff back to the Chooks with some poor defence and high ball fumbles. I thought Api , Fish, Yeo & Martin were outstanding for the Panthers, and Cleary and Luai dominating with the ball and their kicking games. For the Roosters, I thought Crichton , Cordner & Collins were their best with Teddy & Keary getting heavily involved in their fightback in the second half. Both teams still have some work to do before their next assignments.
Stevo
Guest
Kikau's defensive specialty has become third or fourth man in. grab and lift a foot then pull and twist the leg in any particular direction. He is definitely not alone, but it's time it was taken out of the game.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
What a great game of footy that was. Man, when RL is played like that nothing comes close. Congrats to both teams. I, ( like most neutrals?) was riding the Panthers of course but Roosters fans can hold their head up because they have one serious team there.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Spot on with Cordner. He just personally decided to change the way the game was going and did. I have no idea how long his body holds up but what a player he is. I find it a lot harder to hate the Blues with him as captain. I still do but it's just notv as easy!
Nat
Roar Rookie
Top game of footy to start the finals. A team on fire vs a very good team and it showed. Completions were incredible, the contact and the effort areas like kick-pressure were high quality. I wasn't surprised to see the Panthers come back after the early Roosters tries (Lussick might have been a bit lucky IMO) but I was surprised how easily they went through the chooks. Cleary was 'Johnny on the spot' for his hatrick but Luai was conducting that show. Strong fightback through there champions but the Panthers were always the better team. I can't imagine Kikau has too much to worry about unless he has carry-overs? JWH on the other hand... So what does this last 2 weeks do for Keary's SOO chances?
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
Watching Robinson in the coach's box, looked like he REALLY wanted the week off the win would have brought them.
uglykiwi
Roar Pro
More tongue in cheek!! Anything can happen! But I reckon Parra should be 100/1 to win that game!
Trevor Whitton
Roar Rookie
Yep - great game with a fair result. The referee also had a very good game - well done. Disagree strongly in regard to Luai - his defence was absolutely sensational. The first try was a double-up effort after an unbelievable try saver on his own line and the 2nd was being run over by a rampaging Crichton (put his body in front of him and you can't ask more than that). The sad thing for me is that Flanigan appears to have lost all confidence after being dropped earlier this year and is merely making up the numbers (except for his goal kicking which is superb). Coach did him no favours and it's still a little bewildering as he appeared to be going very well at the time. Chooks would be better off without the mistake-ridden JWH. Great start to the finals!
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
I was wrong with my pre game assessment. I called a razor edge finish on the one hand, or a blow out by the Roosters. Great game by the Panthers. Masterful.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Brilliant first half from Cleary. His game and his effectiveness has increased three or four fold from last year. Luai was brilliant too. Roosters said in the lead up they’d be sending plenty of traffic his way and that’s how it worked out but his head on defence was outstanding. Best halves pairing in the comp right now? I think so. Walker and Reynolds red hot on their day and Munster and Hughes not out of second gear at the moment Incredible from Cordner in the second half. His runs out of his own end were inspired. I love performances like that where a player through force of will and determination drags his team mates back into the game I can’t recall a team being so dominant early and then giving up momentum and points so easily as the Roosters have the last two weeks. Great effort to fight back but big, big problem Huge effort play from JFH with the non-charge down. Perfectly timed for the Panthers, Roosters were surging and it just paused their momentum Not surprising given the Roosters had Lussick and Aubo at dummy half, 4th and 5th ranked hookers by my count (Friend, Verrills, Lam) but the service was terrible. First receivers whether hit ups or to ball play we’re constantly having to turn and catch the ball on their inside hips...absolute timing killer and it was evident every time the Roosters tried to spread the ball Roosters can definitely come back against the Raiders or Sharks but they’ve got some issues to fix. If they do manage the three-peat they’ll have earned it the hard way...if results go as expected they’ll be looking at Raiders / Storm / Panthers to win the comp from here...
andrew
Roar Rookie
Geez you're optimistic there kiwi. But hey, it's finals football and anything can happen, though you'd be a brave man to bet against Melbourne at Suncorp.
uglykiwi
Roar Pro
Once Parra bear Storm!! Roosters will be on the better half of the draw!!
TJ
Guest
Cheers mate. Based off tonight’s game would love to see us meet again in the GF. Would be another cracker!
egbert
Guest
As a Panthers fan I'm thrilled for both this remarkable group of players and the local community, but the Roosters proved they are champions and it's hard to really dislike a team with both Morris brothers in it. Best of luck next week.
TJ
Guest
Fantastic game. As a Chooks fan Penrith deserved that but proud of the boys for fighting back. Good effort to still be in the game till the end even when we were way off. Going to be tough to get that 3 peat now. One negative on the Panthers. Luai once again great in attack but his defence let in another 2 tries tonight and he will be targeted in the prelim and GF if they make it.