Liam Henry celebrates a try for Penrith against Canterbury Bulldogs. Photo: AAP/Photosport
Penrith are the kings of September, crushing Canterbury Bulldogs 46-26 to keep their hopes of a fifth-consecutive NRL premiership alive.
The Panthers only concern will be a late shoulder or rib injury to Liam Martin, who left the field and disappeared down the tunnel in pain.
The backrower returned to the bench before the full time siren, telling ABC Sport afterwards that he was "alright" and it was "just a bit of carry on".
Isaah Yeo was also placed on report, but should have no trouble with the judiciary for what looked an innocuous tackle.
The Panthers will head to Brisbane for a blockbuster preliminary final on Sunday week, taking on the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium in a repeat of the 2023 Grand Final.
They were absolutely perfect through the first 40 minutes, completing a perfect 20 sets and scoring six tries to one to obliterate any hopes the Bulldogs had of rescuing their season.
As ever, Nathan Cleary pulled all the strings, playing a hand in everything the Panthers did well.
Paul Alamoti scored a hattrick and Brian To'o a double, with Liam Henry, Isaiah Papali'i and Cleary also crossing.
Both wingers were sublime, Alamoti running for 242 metres and To'o for 260, as they ran the brittle Bulldogs defence ragged.
Lachlan Galvin had a mixed game, scoring a try in the first half, but making far too many errors, as the Bulldogs completed just 30 of their 40 sets.
Jacob Preston added some respectability to the score late, with Bronson Xerri and Jacob Kiraz also scoring, but it was far too little, far too late, as the Bulldogs ended a promising season with a whimper, winning just two of their last eight games.
