The five-peat is alive.
The Panthers are through to their sixth consecutive preliminary final after dominating the Bulldogs 46-26 at Accor Stadium.
Nathan Cleary and Paul Alamoti celebrate.Credit: Getty Images
It was a complete masterclass from the reigning premiers, who played dazzling football – especially in the first half – to keep the possibility of a fifth premiership alive.
It really was a sublime 80 minutes of football from Penrith, who are peaking at the right time of the season.
No one player can be responsible for the results today, although Nathan Cleary, Paul Alamoti and Brian To’o were all in fine form – the latter two combining for five tries this afternoon.
Paul Alamoti scores for the Panthers.Credit: Getty Images
The Bulldogs managed to come back in the second half, with Jacob Preston, Bronson Xerri and Jacob Kiraz all scoring to make the scoreline respectable, but it really was a Penrith domination.
Now, Penrith will head to Brisbane next week to face the Broncos in the preliminary final.