As it happened: Panthers demolish Dogs to power into prelim

Mighty Moses: Four-time premiership winner Moses Leota celebrated his 200th game in style with 103 run metres, six tackle breaks and 31 tackles. Leota is the glue that holds it all together in the middle and his battle with Payne Haas in Brisbane next week will be a belter.

Just To'o good: Panthers superstar Brian To'o had 21 runs for 260 metres, scored two tries and broke 11 tackles in yet another devastating display on the big stage. Fellow winger Paul Alamoti bagged a hat-trick and ran for 242 metres.

Full-time: A magnificent performance from the premiers as they get home 46-26 to set up a preliminary final showdown with the Broncos. After sitting last on the premiership 12 rounds into the season the Panthers are now just one win away from a sixth consecutive grand final appearance.

78 min: A consolation try for the Bulldogs after Brian To'o knocks down a pass and Jacob Kiraz picks up the scraps to score. Matt Burton converts. Panthers 46-26.

73 min: Panthers back-rower Liam Martin leaves the field with what appears to be a rib injury after landing awkwardly in a tackle.

70 min: The Panthers are too slick again as Paul Alamoti makes it a hat-trick as Isaah Yeo, Nathan Cleary, Dylan Edwards and Izack Tago combine to send the winger over for his hat-trick. Panthers 46-20. 

68 min: Lachlan Galvin goes to the line and plays long but the ball goes behind Jacob Kiraz and into touch.

67 min: Brad Schneider is placed on report for a cannonball style tackle on Sitili Tupouniua.

66 min: A penalty against Brad Schneider for a lifting tackle hands the Bulldogs more possession as they chase a miracle comeback.

65 min: The Bulldogs get another crack at points but a poor play on the last tackle sees them turn the ball over meekly.

62 min: Isaah Yeo is penalised for pressure on the neck of Jacob Preston and the Bulldogs get the ball out to Bronson Xerri who powers past Brian To'o to score. Matt Burton converts. Panthers 40-20.

58 min: Hooker Mitch Kenny gets an early mark from Ivan Cleary after a strong showing in his return from a hamstring injury. Kenny was solid in defence with 27 tackles and laid on a try for Liam Henry with a neat grubber.

57 min: The Bulldogs grab their second when Jacob Preston powers into a hole from close range to grab his 12th try of the season. Matt Burton converts. Panthers 40-14.

54 min: Brian To'o takes an intercept and races 50 metres before linking with Izack Tago who picks up Luke Garner and the back-rower is tackled 10 metres out. The ball is then spun to the right where Nathan Cleary delivers the final pass for Paul Alamoti to stroll over untouched. Panthers 40-8.

50 min: Lachlan Galvin's kick goes out on the full and the Panthers take over on halfway.

47 min: Nathan Cleary's 40-20 puts the Panthers inside the Red Zone again but Dylan Edwards' kick on the last bounces into touch and the Dogs come away.

44 min: The Panthers are penalised for a strip and then marched for dissent but the Bulldogs come up empty when Bronson Xerri puts the ball down.

Wonder wingers: A starring role from Paul Alamoti with 147 run metres, three line breaks, nine tackle breaks and a try while Brian To'o bagged a double and ran for 124 metres and broke seven tackles.

Half-time: A masterclass from the Panthers as they complete 20 of 21 sets at 95 per cent while the Bulldogs complete just 11 sets. The Panthers have made 1018 metres to 545 and come up with 38 tackle breaks to 11.

39 min: More brilliance from the premiers as they shift to the left and Brian To'o gets a kick back inside for Isaiah Papalii to follow through score as the demolition continues. Nathan Cleary converts. Panthers 36-8.

35 min: Bulldogs utility Kurt Mann is placed on report for a hip drop tackle.

33 min: Nathan Cleary goes to the line and is pulled down just short before Mitch Kenny goes into dummy half and grubbers expertly for Liam Henry to score as the Panthers power their way to a massive half-time lead. Cleary adds the extras. Panthers 30-8.

29 min: The Panthers are just too slick on the left edge with Nathan Cleary, Blaize Talagi and Casey McLean combining to put the ball on a platter for Brian To'o to complete his 20th career double. Cleary converts. Panthers 24-8.

28 min: Blaize Talagi jams in on Matt Burton and forces an error from the centre.

27 min: A high tackle penalty against Isaah Yeo allows the Bulldogs to come out of their own end.

25 min: Brian To'o comes up with a classic tackle to put Jacob Kiraz into touch as the Panthers shut down a Dogs' right side raid.

22 min: The Panthers strike again when Isaiah Papalii delivers a quality offload for Nathan Cleary who fires the ball to Izack Tago who puts Paul Alamoti away down the right wing. Alamoti sends the pass back inside to Cleary who dots down for his side's third try. Panthers 18-8.

17 min: Lachlan Galvin puts Jacob Preston into space with a clever short ball and then backs up on the inside to race 25 metres to score his fourth try as a Bulldog. Matt Burton converts. Panthers 12-8.

12 min: Paul Alamoti comes up with a powerhouse finish on the right wing to beat Connor Tracey and Toby Sexton to score the Panthers' second try. Plenty of good work on the inside from Isaah Yeo, Dylan Edwards and Izack Tago to create the opportunity for Alamoti. The conversion from Nathan Cleary makes it 12-0.

10 min: Nathan Cleary shoots for a 40-20 and Connor Tracey comes up with a great play to control the bouncing ball but the Bulldogs come up with an error at the end of the set.

8 min: The Panthers keep the ball alive on the last tackle and sweep from right to left through Nahan Cleary, Lindsay Smith, Scott Sorensen and Casey McLean before Brian To'o goes over in the corner. Cleary converts from touch. Panthers 6-2.

6 min: The Bulldogs are penalised for a slow peel and the Panthers go on the attack. 

3 min: Matt Burton bangs over the penalty goal from straight in front. Bulldogs 2-0.

2 min: Viliame Kikau charges down a Nathan Cleary kick and is impeded by Dylan Edwards as he attempts to chase the loose ball. Edwards is penalised, the Panthers throw in a captain's challenge and come up empty, burning their challenge for the day.

Late Mail

Bulldogs: A late switch on game day with Reed Mahoney starting at hooker and Bailey Hayward going to the bench. Sitili Tupouniua will also start the game at prop with Josh Curran sliding to the bench. Captain Stephen Crichton was officially ruled out after failing a fitness test at Saturday's captain's run. Matt Burton moves to centre, Lachlan Galvin takes over at five-eighth and Toby Sexton plays halfback. Bronson Xerri (concussion) returns in the centres but Marcelo Montoya (ankle) remains sidelined. Blake Wilson is 18th man.

Panthers: Hooker Mitch Kenny comes into the starting side an hour before kick-off as he returns from a hamstring injury. Kenny will wear jersey No.22 with Luke Sommerton the man to make way. Daine Laurie is 18th man. Four-time premiership winner Moses Leota makes his 200th NRL appearance.

Numbers Game

• The Bulldogs have won only two of their past seven games.
• The Panthers have won eight of their last nine games against the Bulldogs.
• The Bulldogs have less than half of the finals experience of the Panthers team.
• Panthers prop Moses Leota will make his 200th NRL appearance.
• Bulldogs second-rower Jacob Preston has scored four tries in his last two games against the Panthers.