Panthers smash Broncos and earn
home final

The Penrith Panthers have come away convincing winners over the Brisbane Broncos, defeating the visitors 46-20 in front of a huge crowd at Penrith Stadium tonight.

The result guarantees the Panthers a top four spot and a home semi-final.

But the victory may have come at a cost with forward Joe Galuvao and fullback Rhys Wesser suffering injuries. But the Broncos look to be in worst shape with Carl Webb, Brad Meyers and Shane Webcke all in doubt.

The match started off well for the Broncos who were more than matching the home side up front. But it wasn?t long before the Panthers took control, with Amos Roberts scoring after 10 minutes. A conversion and a penalty goal gave Penrith an 8-0 lead before the Brisbane side struck back with a try to rampaging winger Gary Tupou, who eventually scored two tries on debut. The try put the Broncos just two points behind but that was as close as the visitors would get as the Panthers went from strength to strength.

Three more Penrith tries and a late first half try to the Broncos saw the Panthers go to the break holding a handy 26-14 lead.

The Panthers went further ahead in the second half, scoring four tries to one to run out 46-20 winners, thereby moving up to 34 competition points and securing a vital fourth spot on the ladder.

Their likely opponents next Friday night will be the fifth-placed St George Illawarra Dragons who have a bye this round. But the sixth-placed Melbourne Storm are a chance of leap-frogging the Dragons should they defeat Manly by more than 40 points this Sunday.

The Broncos, in third position, remain on 37 competition points and will play the sixth-placed team next weekend. But they are fronting up to the worrying signs of inconsistent form and a mounting injury toll at the wrong end of the season.

Penrith Football Stadium, Crowd: 20,043 Referee: Paul Simpkins Forecast at kickoff: 5% chance rain, 5kph ENE wind, approx 15?C

PANTHERS 46 Tries: Lewis 2, Gower 2, Rooney 2, Roberts, Waterhouse Goals: Girdler 7/8, Roberts 0/1 defeated BRONCOS 20 Tries: Tupou 2, Costigan Goals: Parker 4/4

By the clock: 0 min: Huge Penrith crowd. Kickoff...!

5 min: NEWS - Panthers being called on to do most of the tackling as the Broncos dominate early on.

10 min: TRY - Panthers. Amos Roberts. Conversion successful from Ryan Girdler. Panthers 6-0

14 min: PENALTY GOAL - Panthers. Girdler makes no mistake as Penrith turn the match in their favour. Panthers 8-0

15 min: NEWS - Rhys Wesser (Panthers) favouring an ankle and limps off. Carl Webb (Broncos) also unlikely to return following an early head clash with Craig Gower (Panthers).

17 min: TRY - Broncos. Gary Tupou strikes back for the Broncos. Sideline conversion from Corey Parker is successful. Panthers 8-6

23 min: TRY - Panthers. Trent Waterhouse crashes over. Conversion Girdler. Panthers 14-6

27 min: TRY - Panthers. Craig Gower scores after chasing his own bomb. Conversion Girdler. Panthers 20-6

NEWS - Brad Meyers (Broncos) appears to be sidelined with an arm injury and is unlikely to return.

32 min: TRY - Panthers. Luke Lewis scores in the corner and Penrith are carving up the Broncos. Conversion Girdler is a ripper. Panthers 26-6

36 min: TRY - Broncos. Tupou gets a double. Conversion Parker, another sideline effort. Panthers 26-12

40 min: PENALTY GOAL - Broncos. Parker makes no mistake. Panthers 26-14

HALF TIME SUMMARY: A dominant first half from the Panthers with Martin Lang, Joel Clinton and Trent Waterhouse all making inroads up front. Craig Gower, along with Clinton, came back after an early head clash; Gower playing on the back of some great go-forward. Amos Roberts also impressive. For the Broncos, Petero Civoniceva and debutante Gary Tupou are standing up. A tough ask but the visitors are not out of this yet.

Second half underway...

48 min: NEWS - Still 26-14 to Penrith. Broncos battling to complete their sets and missing too many tackles.

50 min: TRY - Panthers. Luke Lewis gets a double. Conversion Girdler. Panthers 32-14

61 min: TRY - Panthers. Luke Rooney scores and it looks like the Panthers have secured a top four berth. Conversion misses. Panthers 36-14

71 min: TRY - Panthers. Craig Gower gets a double. Conversion Girdler. Panthers 42-14

77 min: TRY - Broncos. Neville Costigan gets a late try for the Broncos. Conversion Parker. Panthers 42-20

80 min: TRY - Panthers. Luke Rooney gets a double right on full time. Conversion attempt from Roberts is wide. Panthers 46-20

FULL TIME SUMMARY: A comprehensive victory to the Panthers who have now earned outright 4th spot on the ladder and a home final. The Broncos simply outclassed by a tougher and more committed Panthers' pack and have a number of injuries to contend with in the coming week.

----------------------------------------- Leagueunlimited.com players of the match: 3 - C Gower (Panthers) 2 - T Waterhouse (Panthers) 1 - J Clinton (Panthers) -----------------------------------------