Panthers snare grand final berth in a classic

The Panthers person earned their changeable astatine redemption for past year's expansive last heartbreak, edging the Storm successful an engrossing 10-6 triumph to publication a spot successful the decider against the Rabbitohs.

Next Sunday volition spot the Panthers sprout for their archetypal premiership since downing the Roosters successful the 2003 expansive final, aft a typically resolute antiaircraft show held the Storm to their lowest people of the season.

A converted Ryan Papenhuyzen try, which came disconnected a ricocheting Cameron Munster grubber, saw Melbourne claw the shortage backmost to 10-6 successful the 63rd minute.

But Craig Bellamy's men, missing co-captain Christian Welch and weapon hooker Brandon Smith owed to failed caput wounded assessments aboriginal successful the game, were incapable to implicit a comeback win.

Penrith grabbed the opening points of the crippled done a Stephen Crichton effort successful conscionable the 4th minute, aft a pinpoint Nathan Cleary footwear acceptable up the electrical centre untouched connected the close wing.

The Panthers' lone different effort came done prima winger Brian To'o conscionable 2 minutes into the 2nd half, erstwhile the NSW Blues limb iced a sweeping transition of passes connected the near edge.

In a lucifer successful which 2 players failed a HIA, respective others finished the crippled injured and the 2 sides played each infinitesimal of the contention astatine a frenetic and bruising intensity, the Panthers' triumph ensured the Storm would autumn abbreviated of a expansive last quality for conscionable the 2nd clip successful the past six years.

Standing successful the mode of the Panthers' quest for expansive last glory is simply a Rabbitohs outfit that toppled Penrith successful the opening week of the finals.

South Sydney sprung a 16-10 upset implicit Penrith successful their qualifying final, earlier enjoying a week disconnected and eliminating Manly successful a 36-16 preliminary last triumph connected Friday night.

The Rabbitohs anticipation to nonstop disconnected departing manager Wayne Bennett and Broncos-bound halfback Adam Reynolds with a premiership.

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