FULLTIME
PANTHERS 32 - WARRIORS 6
One-way traffic then for the Panthers. A huge win over the Warriors at the foot of the mountains.

Our full match report is live.

Be sure to join us at 7:50pm for the Roosters and Sharks.

79' - Panthers 32 - Warriors 6
This one just winding down now. Warriors still trying hard to grab a try, but their attention will turn to next week.

76' - Panthers 32 - Warriors 6
The Warriors now looking for a way through to get some consolation points. They swing it right, but again just run out of room and Watene-Zelezniak ends up in touch.

75' - Panthers 32 - Warriors 6
Short kick-off, and the Warriors will get it back here. Scrum 30 out with an accidental offside for the Panthers.

74' - Panthers 32 - Warriors 6
CONVERSION! Nathan Cleary

The Panthers add to that lead again here. Six minutes to go.

73' - Panthers 30 - Warriors 6
TRY! Nathan Cleary
Well, if anyone deserves to score a try today, it's Nathan Cleary. He has been outstanding, and now runs through the line, breaks away and does it all himself to add to the lead.

72' - Panthers 26 - Warriors 6
The Warriors now stuck in their own end and barely able to get it out of the red zone. The kick comes from Walker inside 20 on the last, and Turuva brings it back to halfway this time.

71' - Panthers 26 - Warriors 6
Penrith still looking for more points here. Throwing the ball around but can't find a way through before Cleary grubbers into the posts and Curran is trapped a metre back into the field of play.

70' - Panthers 26 - Warriors 6
Has Nathan Cleary put a foot wrong today? Challenges a decision here after a kick with the bunker finding a knock on against the Warriors. Penrith back on the attack.

68' - Panthers 26 - Warriors 6
Brief stoppage here with Mitch Barnett copping a head knock, but he is able to continue. Penrith over halfway with a couple of plays to spare, and Cleary bombs from 40 out on the last. Montoya does a great job under pressure there.

67' - Panthers 26 - Warriors 6
The Warriors will kick from ten short of halfway this time after a set without great yardage, and Dylan Edwards brings it back strongly.

66' - Panthers 26 - Warriors 6
Another strong set for the Panthers coming out of their own end and they turn it over in the corner off a bomb.

65' - Panthers 26 - Warriors 6
The Warriors set themselves for a short kick-off and get the ball back through a Penrith knock on in the air. They shift left on the attack though and Dylan Walker puts it down.

64' - Panthers 26 - Warriors 6
CONVERSION! Nathan Cleary
The Panthers increase the lead to 18 with 16 to go.

63' - Panthers 24 - Warriors 6
TRY! Sunia Turuva
Game, set, match. The Panthers have huge numbers on the left and send this through the hands brilliantly, Yeo to Cleary and Crichton, then on for Turuva who crosses for a double.

Penrith surely book a home preliminary final with that.

62' - Panthers 20 - Warriors 6
Penrith back to halfway on the fourth play through the backs, then Cogger looks to pass, but ends up wisely holding it with Watene-Zelezniak there for an intercept. Cleary chips and chases on the last, the ball pinballs around, and the Warriors are called for an accidental offside.

Captain's challenge. Replays show Walker, Liam Martin and another Warrior in the challenge. Good luck working out who had their hands to that first. The bunker find inconclusive footage to overrule the challenge and the Warriors retain their challenge.

61' - Panthers 20 - Warriors 6
There could have been a number of penalties in that set, but Adam Gee doesn't call any of them, so the set ends with another bomb to Turuva from halfway.

60' - Panthers 20 - Warriors 6
The Panthers trucking it away through their outside backs, then up to halfway on the fifth play with a huge Fisher-Harris charge. Cleary will kick high on the last, down to Montoya who brings it back.

Warriors must be next to score again here.

59' - Panthers 20 - Warriors 6
Right, the Warriors with a decent set after points. Back to halfway, then a bomb goes up and Turuva comes down with it.

58' - Panthers 20 - Warriors 6
CONVERSION! Adam Pompey
They need to go up in sixes the Warriors, and do just that here.

57' - Panthers 20 - Warriors 4
TRY! Wayde Egan
The Warriors are on the board. A lovely shift out of their own half, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak down the sideline and he throws a wonderful floating, lofted ball back in field to Wayde Egan who dots down for a try behind the posts. The shift was all sparked by a lovely Mitch Barnett offload in the middle.

They'll need a miracle, but all miracles start with the first step.

56' - Panthers 20 - Warriors 0
The Panthers threatening to crack this open again. First on the right through Martin, then Cleary conducts them left, but the final pass is out of the reach of Turuva who winds up unable to stop the ball from ending up in touch.

54' - Panthers 20 - Warriors 0
And another crusher tackle. Dylan Walker this time on Liam Martin at halfway. Penalty Panthers.

53' - Panthers 20 - Warriors 0
The Warriors just continue proving their defence is the best in the competition. The Warriors with a decent spread left after a good run from Barnett, but the Panthers slide with them and take Montoya into touch.

52' - Panthers 20 - Warriors 0
And now a penalty for the Warriors to work it out of their own end.

51' - Panthers 20 - Warriors 0
The Panthers rolling back onto the attack yet again here, and they look a little lost before Yeo straightens the attack. Inside 20 and they use a quick play the ball on the last to run it right, but Garner is stopped by the Warriors' scrambling defence.

50' - Panthers 20 - Warriors 0
Both teams roll through a completed set, but then the Panthers pick up a penalty coming out of their own end with Tohu Harris dropping into a crusher tackle on Luke Garner.

48' - Panthers 20 - Warriors 0
So, with Egan's miraculous recovery, this one continues. Penrith finish their setand the Warriors will again have to bring it all but off their own line.

46' - Panthers 20 - Warriors 0
Oh this is a bad moment. Wayde Egan has gone in to make a tackle on Moses Leota here and appears to be down with a shoulder or collarbone injury.

Got compressed awkwardly in that tackle and now there is serious concern being shown, but he will be able to get back to his feet and remain on the ground.

45' - Panthers 20 - Warriors 0
The Warriors must be first to score in this second half. They are inside 20 here with a pair of plays remaining and then Nicoll-Klokstad finds a half break on the right, but is shut down, before a horror forward pass ends the set on the last.

43' - Panthers 20 - Warriors 0
So, the Warriors get through a set, and then will get some momentum from an Isaah Yeo knock on at the halfway line.

42' - Panthers 20 - Warriors 0
Here come the Panthers then. Yeo has them ten metres out on the first tackle and Penrith can methodically pick their spots here to try and add to the lead. A couple of carries in the middle, then it's Crichton on the left, but Berry continues to do an excellent job on him. Last play, cut out ball for Cleary, Turuva puts on the moves to get around his man, but the cover defence manage to take him into touch.

Warriors survive.

41' - Panthers 20 - Warriors 0
So then, the Warriors will have first use in the second half, but it's as bad of a start as you could imagine. Jazz Tevaga drops it cold on the 20-metre line.

40' - Panthers 20 - Warriors 0
Panthers to kick-off.

40' - Panthers 20 - Warriors 0
Moses Leota has passed his HIA.

40' - Panthers 20 - Warriors 0
Teams are back for the second half.

HALFTIME - Panthers 20 - Warriors 0
So, the Panthers go to halftime with a 20-point lead. They have had almost 65 per cent of possession, double the running metres and have barely put a foot wrong.

Long, long way back for the Warriors in the second half.

Join us for that in 10 minutes.

40' - Panthers 20 - Warriors 0
PENALTY GOAL! Nathan Cleary

20 is the lead at halftime.

39' - Panthers 18 - Warriors 0
And now a penalty. The Panthers have a penalty from 30 out on the right-hand side. Penrith will take the shot at penalty goal to try and extend this lead to 20 at halftime.

Penrith just rolling in this game. Incredible.

39' - Panthers 18 - Warriors 0
The Panthers have a ball knocked down by Watene-Zelezniak, so will have a new set off the scrum from 45 metres out here.

38' - Panthers 18 - Warriors 0
Ah that's tough for the Warriors. They now give away a piggyback penalty that will allow the Panthers to come out of their own end with a full set from halfway.

37' - Panthers 18 - Warriors 0
Unbelievable areas from the Warriors. Out on their feet, but runs from Watene-Zelezniak, Berry and Walker get them to halfway before a kick will see the Penrith bring it out of their own 20.

No doubt the Warriors need halftime though.

36' - Panthers 18 - Warriors 0
Crichton! Over! No. What a tackle from Rocco Berry on that edge. The rest of the set plays out through the middle of the park without much thrown at them, then on the last it's Yeo, Cleary, Martin and the Warriors force a handover! What a tackle. What incredible defence from the Warriors.

35' - Panthers 18 - Warriors 0
So, Penrith continue on the attack here with just minutes remaining before the halftime break, and the Warriors simply can't afford to concede again. The footy is like a pin ball during this set, and eventually on the last the Panthers go left, throwing the kitchen sink at the Warriors who force Turuva into a kick on the touchline, only for Nicoll-Klokstad to knock on.

More pressure ahead.

34' - Panthers 18 - Warriors 0
Bad to worse for the Warriors. Worse set of the day for Penrith, but ends with a ball on the ground that is knocked on by the Warriors.

33' - Panthers 18 - Warriors 0
Now the Panthers muscling up and the Warriors, who can't do anything more than one-out footy, take four plays to get past their own ten-metre line. They have to kick through Te Maire Martin from inside their own 20 and Edwards has it on halfway for Tackle 1.

32' - Panthers 18 - Warriors 0
A short drop out that is way too long, and the Panthers have another full set on the attack here. Not a lot happening early, then a Crichton offload and Cleary drift come to nothing. Cogger kicks on the last, tapped back to To'o who grubbers and Nicoll-Klokstad saves the day.

30' - Panthers 18 - Warriors 0
Cleary is absolutely shredding the Warriors here. Makes another break, then Kenny rolls a grubber in behind to force the drop out. Penrith on fire at the moment.

29' - Panthers 18 - Warriors 0
As anticipated, Moses Leota has been asked to undergo a concussion test.

29' - Panthers 18 - Warriors 0
CONVERSION! Nathan Cleary

Cleary slots it from the sideline.

27' - Panthers 16 - Warriors 0
TRY! Sunia Turuva
Right then, the Panthers will bring it the other way. Back over halfway and then it's Garner making a break only to be shut down by Nicoll-Klokstad. Quick play the ball though and there will be no stopping the Panthers this time as they fling it left and Sunia Turuva scores in the corner.

26' - Panthers 12 - Warriors 0
Moses Leota has copped an awkward knock here and is on his way off. Would have been about when he was due to be interchanged anyway, but every chance he is taken for a HIA on advice from the bunker doctor anyway.

25' - Panthers 12 - Warriors 0
Have a go at Cleary's work in Penrith's second try! Simply outstanding.

No boot, no problem for Nathan Cleary! 💥#NRLPanthersWarriors pic.twitter.com/hleX3h4FEn

— NRL (@NRL) September 9, 2023

25' - Panthers 12 - Warriors 0
The Warriors kick this set off from halfway then after the penalty and are able to bring it onto the attack. They need points here though and it'll come down to the last play. Walker shapes to kick, then runs, Tohu Harris has to grubber and the Panthers will bring it away.

24' - Panthers 12 - Warriors 0
The Warriors looking to get away from their own end here, then Dallin Watene-Zelezniak stays down seemingly with an eye problem. Replays show Cogger's hand has connected with his eye in attempting to make the tackle from behind. No penalty, and the winger able to stay on the park as we get going again.

And now the Panthers do win a penalty.

23' - Panthers 12 - Warriors 0
A really strong set after points for the Panthers. They turn it over down in the corner with strong runs and a strong kick at the end.

22' - Panthers 12 - Warriors 0
CONVERSION! Nathan Cleary
Cleary slots the conversion.

21' - Panthers 10 - Warriors 0
TRY! Liam Martin
Barnett's catch comes to nothing. The Warriors turn it over trying to work it out of their own end and the home side have a full set from inside ten metres. The forwards run back across the ruck once, twice and three times at the sticks before Chrichton is tackled well on a shift left. Cleary then tripped up without anything happening and on the last! Cleary, with one boot, gets off the ground from the play before and sets up a try with a wonderful short ball for Liam Martin.

That's staggeringly good vision from Cleary given he wasn't even in the line until the ball was being played. Magnificent.

20' - Panthers 6 - Warriors 0
Here come the Panthers! A lovely shift right sends To'o through the line and he is taken 20 out. Cleary then stabs a kick and Mitch Barnett! Someone get him into Australia's slips cordon. What a catch.

19' - Panthers 6 - Warriors 0
Now it's getting physical! Martin rocked in a big run from Montoya, and the Warriors are really trying to make something out of this now. Egan takes a run and gets an offload as well before Te Maire Martin kicks to To'o.

18' - Panthers 6 - Warriors 0
Certainly being played at a high pace there. Little bit of verbal between Leota and Fonua-Blake, with Cleary kicking at the end of this set for the Panthers from ten shy of halfway. Nicoll-Klokstad juggles but brings it back.

17' - Panthers 6 - Warriors 0
Sets each way here with both teams completing, getting to their kicks and working it out of their own end. Bit of a rhythm breaking out here, and it's becoming clear this one won't be one-way traffic.

15' - Panthers 6 - Warriors 0
The Warriors now pushing onto the attack off this penalty. A little bit too side to side just at the moment and the Panthers containing things easily enough through to the last play of the set. They look to run it, and a number of passes can't crack Penrith with Te Maire Martin tackled five metres out. Good place to hand it over.

14' - Panthers 6 - Warriors 0
I raised it in my pre-game preview, but Egan is starting to run the football here. Gets the Warriors a bit of momentum here, then Jackson Ford wins a penalty with a second effort in the play the ball from James Fisher-Harris.

13' - Panthers 6 - Warriors 0
The Warriors with an excellent recovery set, but their defence crumbles here as Edwards slices through the line and makes a good 60 metres on his own, but oh dear. Very lazy from Nathan Cleary on the next. Looking for an option as he drifts across the field and a great tackle from Te Maire Martin forces an error.

12' - Panthers 6 - Warriors 0
Crichton okay to continue then, and the Panthers will go onto the attack here. Inside ten halfway through the set, then it's a push right and Martin is stopped a metre out. Last play will swing back to the left, with Cleary for Cogger who runs, but the Warriors stand tall and force a handover.

11' - Panthers 6 - Warriors 0
Well, this is going from bad to worse for the Warriors. They give away a six again, and then a Leota run sets up a shift left. A good tackle eventually stops Crichton, but he is staying down clutching at the back of his head. Niukore came over the top there with an accidental dangerous tackle, so no penalty against him.

Crichton with the trainer.

10' - Panthers 6 - Warriors 0
So, the Warriors not doing it quite as easily as the home side for metres here, and the kick has to come from inside 40 this set. It's shallow, and Dylan Edwards is back to within 20 of halfway on Tackle 1.

9' - Panthers 6 - Warriors 0
Right then, the Panthers survive the first raid on their line and come away with a solid set to take the ball back up towards the other end of the park. Over halfway, then the bomb goes down and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak does a great job.

8' - Panthers 6 - Warriors 0
The Panthers put the ball down coming out of their own end through Isaah Yeo, and the Warriors will be able to come onto the attack right here. Addin Fonua-Blake brings them inside the ten-metre zone with a six again signalled as well. On the last, they come to the left and Dylan Walker puts the foot down to slice over for what looks to be a far too easy try.

Adam Gee sends it straight upstairs. Adam Pompey knocks over Luke Garner, so this will be a penalty for Penrith.

7' - Panthers 6 - Warriors 0
CONVERSION! Nathan Cleary

So, the Panthers will do this from in front. Cleary slots the conversion from out wide.

5' - Panthers 4 - Warriors 0
TRY! Brian To'o
The Warriors handle the Panthers well through the first part of this set. Cleary then gets expansive off a pass from Cogger, breaks a couple of tackles, then Leota grabs an offload and flings a long ball from Leota to Brian To'o and he is over for the opener.

What a pass from Leota that was, but Cleary just playing with the defence there.

To'o gets us started! 🔥#NRLPanthersWarriors pic.twitter.com/ZNAMR3yInp

— NRL (@NRL) September 9, 2023

3' - Panthers 0 - Warriors 0
The Panthers explore over halfway in this set on the back of the penalty, and Cleary throws the bomb up. It comes down about 20 out and Montoya knocks on under pressure. Panthers with the first chance to attack right here.

2' - Panthers 0 - Warriors 0
The Warriors reply with a strong set of their own capped by a bomb from Te Maire Martin, but the kick chase is offside and Dylan Edwards, who completes the take at the back, is awarded a penalty.

1' - Panthers 0 - Warriors 0
Panthers with first use of the football here. They have a strong first set and kick from halfway to turn things around as we get this one underway.

0' - Panthers 0 - Warriors 0
Warriors to kick-off.

4:03pm
Teams on their way out here.

4:00pm
Just about set to go here in Penrith. A sell out crowd is on hand at the foot of the mountains.

3:15pm
We are 50 minutes out from kick-off. If you're looking for some pre-match reading, be sure to check out our full preview of the contest!

3:10pm
A reminder that the winner of this match advances directly to the Friday night preliminary final in Week 3 of the finals. The loser, on the other hand, will play next weekend at home against the winner of tomorrow afternoon's elimination final between the Newcastle Knights and Canberra Raiders.

3:05pm
The teams are locked in! As mentioned, you'll be able to find them in this match centre. The Panthers lose Izack Tago, and the Warriors Shaun Johnson, but the changes are a surprise. Luke Garner starts at centre for Penrith with Tyrone Peachey staying on the bench, while the Warriors have added Freddy Lussick to their bench with Dylan Walker starting. It had been suggested Bunty Afoa would come off the bench for the visitors. The 18th men are Jaeman Salmon for the Panthers, and Taine Tuaupiki for the Warriors.

2:35pm
Hello, good afternoon and welcome to what is set to be a mega day of finals action. Scott Pryde from Zero Tackle to take you through all of today's action.

First up, we have the Penrith Panthers and New Zealand Warriors set to do battle at the foot of the mountains. We already know the Warriors will be without Shaun Johnson for this one in what is a horror blow for the club, while the Panthers have also lost centre Izack Tago to injury.

Final teams will be confirmed at 3:05pm (AEST), with kick-off set for 4:05pm (AEST). The team lists can be found within this match centre and will be updated as soon as they are available.

Ladder Position

Previous 5 Games

Panthers

DATE	OPP	RESULT
2/9/23	Cowboys	W 44 - 12
24/8/23	Eels	L 18 - 32
19/8/23	Titans	W 14 - 40
10/8/23	Sea Eagles	W 12 - 24
4/8/23	Storm	W 26 - 6

Warriors

DATE	OPP	RESULT
2/9/23	Dolphins	L 34 - 10
25/8/23	Dragons	W 18 - 6
18/8/23	Sea Eagles	W 29 - 22
12/8/23	Wests Tigers	W 22 - 30
4/8/23	Titans	W 18 - 28