Two red hot attacking teams squaring off under clear skies in front of 50,000 fans at Suncorp Stadium is a recipe for a magical afternoon of rugby league.

The Panthers arrive in Brisbane on the back of a clinical demolition of the Bulldogs in which they piled on 46 points – their highest ever tally in a finals match.

The Broncos, meanwhile, have racked up 128 points in their past three games at Suncorp Stadium and have been victorious in nine of their past 10 finals games on their home ground.

Just two years after meeting in the epic 2023 decider the Broncos and Panthers go at it again for the right to face the Melbourne Storm in the grand final.

Follow all the Preliminary Finals action on NRL.com’s live blog.

Broncos v Panthers at Suncorp Stadium

11th minute: The Panthers have struck first at Suncorp Stadium with Paul Alamoti continuing his fairytale return to the top flight. A penalty handed the visitors a chance to attack, with Adam Reynolds knocking the ball down to give Penrith a repeat set. After threatening to break through on the left, the Panthers worked their way to the right before Alamoti produced a spectacular finish in the corner. Broncos 0 – Panthers 6

3rd minute: If Penrith win today, they’re going to have to do it with 16 men after Scott Sorensen was ruled out for the remainder of the contest. The 11-day stand-down period also means the forward is likely to miss next week’s grand final if the Panthers progress to the decider. Broncos 0 – Panthers 0.

2nd minute: An early blow for Penrith, with Scott Sorensen coming off second best after colliding with teammate Blaize Talagi while tackling Reece Walsh. The forward is bleeding from the mouth and has left the field for an HIA. Broncos 0 – Panthers 0.

Kick-off: We are underway at a sold-out Suncorp Stadium, with the venue packed to the rafters as Brisbane look to avenge their 2023 grand final defeat to the Panthers. The sun is shining so we can expect an entertaining contest between two of the best attacking sides in the competition. Broncos 0 – Panthers 0.


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Stat Attack

The Broncos have won nine of their past 10 finals matches at Suncorp Stadium.
Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary has won his last 26 daytime games.
The Broncos have scored 128 points in their last three games at Suncorp Stadium.
Panthers winger Brian To’o has scored 17 tries in 17 finals games.
Broncos fullback Reece Walsh has scored six tries in his last five games.


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Late Mail

Broncos: Skipper Adam Reynolds is back after missing five games with a hamstring injury while Ezra Mam also returns via the bench from a hamstring injury. The loss of Billy Walters to an ACL injury sees Ben Hunt return to five-eighth while Tyson Smoothy takes over at lock from the suspended Pat Carrigan. Winger Selwyn Cobbo dropped out of the squad in the 24-hour update after initially being listed among the reserves following his return from a hamstring injury through Queensland Cup last week. Brisbane will line up 1-17, with Jesse Arthars remaining in the squad as 18th man. 

Panthers: No injury concerns and no changes for the defending premiers, with Liam Martin (ribs) and Casey McLean (hip) both good to go despite injury scares last Sunday. Superstar Nathan Cleary hasn’t lost a daytime game since Round 19, 2019 against the Raiders, as he aims for a sixth consecutive grand final appearance with the Panthers. Penrith will line up 1-17, with Daine Laurie the 18th man.Â