Match Centre

About 120 seconds on the clock and Canterbury have it in their own 20m.

No dice for the Dogs in that attacking foray and any realistic chance of pegging back two tries is gone.

Short kickoff Canterbury, they get it back. Panic stations footy time!

Canterbury look like they've created an exciting play but there's a knock on spotted... as the referee calls play back, Matt Burton mouths off at referee Liam Kennedy and is penalised for dissent.

Penrith ruled to knock-on, they challenge and it's unsuccessful. No more challenges either side.

Canterbury are on the attack for the first time in a bit... going sideline to sideline, but there's no way through.

Sam Hughes loses it just inside his own half and Penrith have it again.

Luai and Kikau both lose it now, knock on both ways and a Bulldogs scrum.

Hands to the left, Kikau error. Yeah, this game is done.

Dogs force an error from Lindsay Smith and are let off the hook, but if we're being serious it won't make a difference to the contest, with the visitors not really looking likely.

First Bunker usage of the night is a Captains Challenge, Canterbury ruled to have knocked on, claiming Turuva has knocked it on. The challenge is unsuccessful and the Bulldogs lose their challenge - and will have a Penrith attacking set to defend.

Kiraz looks to have put Crichton over but he's ruled to have passed off the ground after being tackled so it's a Penrith handover.

Canterbury look to have scored in the left corner with Xerri giving it to Addo-Carr... but the Xerri pass is forward. Penrith scrum.

Josh Addo-Carr with a 30m break down the left edge but it's shut down. One tackle later the Dogs move to the right and earn a set restart.

Despite a strong start, the Bulldogs aren't looking anything like the same team that's produced wins in recent weeks. Poor discipline and handling errors also creeping in - something you just can't do against a team as professional and well-drilled as Penrith.

Penalty Penrith once more, poor discipline from the visitors.

After not being used last week, Canterbury finally put their 2023 player of the year Jacob Preston on - his first match since an injury on Good Friday.

To'o with an advantage on the right edge but the sliding defence brings him down. Next play Luai hoists it high but Crichton has it safely.

Penalty Penrith coming out of their own end, they find touch this time, set starts 5 inside the Dogs' half.

Not a lot happening just yet. News through from Fox that Cleary won't return tonight and could be facing a while on the sideline with that hamstring complaint.

HOLD UP - Penrith don't find touch! Canterbury have it now on their own 30m.

SECOND HALF UNDERWAY - Penrith get a penalty on halfway with Turuva cleverly putting his foot on the touchline after Burton flirted with danger too much.

HALFTIME and Penrith are large and in-charge... but there's going to be plenty of chatter with Cleary's injury forcing him off in the shadows of halftime.

Tracey forced in-goal, Bulldogs drop-out. They go short, and tap it forward... and give Penrith an extra tackle.

A Bulldogs error and the Panthers will get another solid attacking opportunity in the Dogs' half.

Canterbury looking promising down the left edge but Xerri thinking too far ahead drops a Burton pass and Penrith get a handover.

Canterbury with a good chance on the back of a penalty... and they force a drop-out with Turuva unable to escape the in-goal.

Both sides completing their sets after that try.

The short drop-out is high and centred, but Penrith get a tapback and will attack.

Nathan Cleary puts a grubbering kick in on the wet surface and it pulls up inside the dead ball line, forcing Canterbury to pounce on it. Drop-out Canterbury.

Cleary with a grubber, his former centre Stephen Crichton all over it, and bumps off defenders to get back into the field of play and save his Bulldogs from a drop-out.

Kiraz with a cheeky break down the sideline, kicks in field and finds Reed Mahoney... who is metres offside. Penrith penalty.

Cleary puts a ball up to the Bulldogs' left edge and Penrith's tapback lands with Bulldogs prop Sam Hughes, opportunity lost.

Set restart for Penrith about 15m from the Bulldogs' line.

Another PENALTY for the hosts! Penrith start a set inside the Bulldogs' half for the first time today.

Cleary tries a grubber short drop out and to Penrith's fortune, Salmon gets in its way and contacts it inside Penrith's 10m. Penalty Panthers.

Time off with Kiraz's apparently ankle injury. He's up after a couple of minutes, now jogging it off.

Enterprising play from the Belmore lads! Burton bursts out of dummy half, finds Kiraz with a great offload and the winger makes about 30m before being dragged down and he looks worse for wear. Canterbury's set continues and a kick for the right edge creates a chase... Penrith forced into a drop-out.

Left side raid time, Burton - Kikau - Josh Addo-Carr.... he goes for the corner but he is forced out. Handover Penrith.

Canterbury force an error with Turuva spilling the ball off a Burton bomb! Scrum 10m out for the visitors and a huge chance.

PENALTY: Thirteen minutes in and the first blow of the whistle for an infringement, Penrith pinged for a ruck issue. Canterbury kick for touch and start a new set on halfway.

Jacob Kiraz tries to tap back a Drew Hutchison high kick to his wing, but it spills backwards, sidewards and into touch. Handover for Penrith on their own 10m.

Ten minutes in and so far Penrith seem to be allowing Canterbury a fair few chances, although the Dogs are yet to take any significant advantage.

Penrith turn it over and Canterbury now have it in opposing territory.

Canterbury make a break down the left edge with Xerri finding Addo-Carr outside, but the Foxx kicking in field is snatched by Dylan Edwards and Penrith come away with it.

Completed set after completed set for this one six minutes in, good handling and strong discipline thus far.

Luai hoists a high ball to test Jacob Kiraz, who bobbles the take but regathers quickly and offloads for Connor Tracey on his own 10m.

End-to-end stuff to open the contest. Both teams getting through their sets.

GAME ON. Canterbury first use, they're wearing their predominantly white jersey with blue chevrons, Penrith in the classic black home jersey with triple stripe across the chest.

Canterbury wander out with Crichton sprinting onto the familiar surface, the Hells Bells hits its notes and Penrith are led out by Nathan Cleary, who returns to the side tonight.

Team news is pretty quick and easy. Penrith are 1-17, while Canterbury welcome in Connor Tracey in place of Blake Taaffe at fullback, while Hughes starts prop in place of Josh Curran who is benched.

Panthers v Bulldogs - plenty of former Penrith favourites returning in blue and white including Canterbury captain Stephen Crichton. Sure to be plenty of emotion in this contest.

Friday night starts at the foot of the mountains, with Penrith hosting at Bluebet for the first time since March 21.