Penrith moves to top after tough game that hurts Canterbury's finals chances

By Jon Healy

NRL

There were several small fires between the Bulldogs and Panthers. (Getty Images: Matt King)

Canterbury's chances of making the NRL finals are very small after a 24-10 loss to Penrith, which moved close to a top‑two spot at Western Sydney Stadium.

Second‑rower Liam Martin scored two tries as the Panthers returned to the top of the ladder on Friday night.

A shaky start to the year has left the Bulldogs trying to catch up for most of 2026, and they could be out of the finals picture by Saturday night.

If North Queensland and South Sydney win their round‑26 games, they will be the last two teams to secure finals spots.

To stay in the finals race, the Bulldogs must beat Brisbane next week and hope the Cowboys lose their last two games, both at home against lower‑ranked teams.

The Bulldogs also need ninth‑placed Manly to lose to the Warriors in the final round after the Sea Eagles kept their slim hopes alive by beating the last‑placed Dragons 44‑10 at Brookvale Oval on Friday.

Check the live blog below for all the action and see the full stats in the Score Centre.

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Have a wonderful night.

I'll be back tomorrow afternoon for more NRL action.

By Jon Healy

Penrith captain Nathan Cleary said the team gave a professional, clinical, defensive performance needed before the playoffs.

"It had that finals intensity," he told ABC Sport.

"Really pleased with that ... against a desperate Doggies side trying to make the eight.

We were probably chasing that type of performance."

By Jon Healy

We still have five games left this round, but this is the standing at 10 pm AEST on Friday, 28 August 2026.

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Penrith beat their Western Sydney rivals 24‑10 in a game that was tiring to watch.

It will take a miracle, maybe several, for the Bulldogs to reach the finals after their 12th loss and a negative points difference.

Meanwhile, the Panthers sit on top of the ladder as the regular season ends.

"It truly felt like a finals match. The physicality was extreme," Ruan Sims said on ABC Sport.

By Jon Healy

The Panthers move left, Tom Jenkins kicks in‑field for Liam Henry, who passes to Dylan Edwards, but it is called forward!

Gee I don't know about that.

By Jon Healy

The Panthers are playing more freely now and having fun.

Cleary gets the ball in broken play and could kick to an open To'o, but tries a banana kick which To'o cannot catch.

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Penrith finishes strong, with Moses Leota offloading to keep the ball alive. Connor Tracey touches it to restart the tackle count, but the Panthers spin left and Casey McLean cuts inside to score.

Dogs must be careful. They are fighting for the eighth spot and this score could widen if fatigue hits and Penrith pushes harder.

By Jon Healy

A high kick is contested by Bronson Xerri and Enari Tuala, who block Izack Tago, giving a penalty that Nathan Cleary converts for an 18‑10 lead with 15 minutes left.

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A couple of repeat sets, a dummy‑half move by Bailey Hayward and a short pass from Galvin to Preston bring the Bulldogs back into the game.

Galvin has been very good tonight, keeping the defence guessing with his play.

Stephen Crichton converts and the Dogs are back within six points.

By Jon Healy

It is 16‑4 to Penrith with 25 minutes left after Jake Turpin hits Nathan Cleary high and Cleary kicks the penalty goal.

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The Bulldogs gain ground and find good positions, but cannot finish. Crichton's kick is heavy and the Panthers have seven tackles from the 20‑metre line.

By Jon Healy

Dylan Edwards catches a high ball and then drops it, giving the Bulldogs a full set on their line.

They spin right and Matt Burton tries to outrun Casey McLean, but he is stopped and forced into touch.

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A perfect looping kick by Nathan Cleary forces an error from Connor Tracey, and Liam Martin runs in, scoops the ball with one hand and scores under the posts.

By Jon Healy

It has been a gripping game. Can the Dogs keep matching the Panthers in the second half?

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The Bulldogs are penalised for being inside the 10‑metre line at half‑time and Nathan Cleary, after a long tactical talk with Lindsay Smith and Dylan Edwards, decides to take a goal kick.

He sneaks it between the right posts from 35 metres out, right in front, and then does this ...

Smith was chasing hard and I think Cleary was aiming for the post, hoping for a surprise bounce.

If he had succeeded, it might have been the greatest skill play in rugby league history.

By Jon Healy

Connor Tracey's grubber is almost taken by Matt Burton but Dylan Edwards stops it.

There was no foul play, but the Dogs complained about Edwards stepping over Burton after the Canterbury centre fell on the field.

The Dogs should have gotten the dropout, but AJ Jones gave away a penalty after chasing Edwards and shoving him, changing the call.

By Jon Healy

The Bulldogs surge on the fourth tackle, moving left with momentum. Stephen Crichton, Viliame Kikau and others are deep, expecting the shift.

But Galvin kicks! There is space, but his teammates are not ready and do not react in time.

By Jon Healy

Stephen Crichton attempts a 40/20 and almost makes it, but Tom Jenkins brilliantly bats it back into play, regathers and gains momentum on his first run.

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From the 20‑metre tap, the Dogs get a penalty and a set restart, spin right, and the defence is focused on Jacob Preston, leaving Matt Burton unmarked when Lachlan Galvin hits him from behind.

He powers through despite strong contact from Casey McLean and Dylan Edwards, who almost stop the try but cannot.

Pinned

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