With their third minor premiership in four years secured, the Panthers get down to the business of becoming the first team since Parramatta in 1981-82-83 to win three titles in a row.
The Panthers could scarcely have been more impressive in their Round 27 demolition of the Cowboys and they head into the finals series brimming with confidence and self-belief.
The absence of five-eighth Jarome Luai had the potential to throw the premiers off kilter but as they have done for the past four seasons they seamlessly slotted in a replacement player in Jack Cogger and barely skipped a beat.
In stark contrast the Warriors rested a host of stars and were outplayed by the Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium, halting the momentum they had built up in a seven-game winning streak.
Playing their first finals match in five years, the Warriors will fancy their chances of an upset, but they have to reverse a worrying trend that has seen them lose their last seven games against Penrith.
With the weight of history and a boisterous BlueBet Stadium against them, Andrew Webster's men will need dig deep if they are to throw the Panthers juggernaut off the rails.
A week off and another chance to rest weary bodies is the prize for the winner of a fascinating contest that will reveal much about the premiership aspirations of the two combatants.
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Team News
Panthers: A late switch an hour before kick-off with Luke Garner coming into the starting side in the centres in jersey No.21. Izack Tago dropped out on Friday due to a pectoral injury suffered at training. Tyrone Peachey remains on the bench and Jaeman Salmon is 18th Man. Hooker Mitch Kenny (leg) and back-rower Scott Sorensen (leg) are back on deck but Jarome Luai (shoulder) remains sidelined. Jack Cogger will again wear the No.6 jersey on the back of three try assists and three line break assists in the win over the Cowboys.
Warriors: Freddy Lussick has joined the bench on game day with Bunty Afoa making way. Shaun Johnson has been ruled out after suffering a calf injury at training during the week. Dylan Walker comes into the starting side at five-eighth and Te Maire Martin moves to halfback. Skipper Tohu Harris (back spasms) and interchange forward Jazz Tevaga (hamstring) meanwhile are both good to go.
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Stat Attack
- The last time the Warriors played a final was 2018, when they were knocked out by the Panthers in a 27-12 defeat at ANZ Stadium.
- The Warriors have not won a finals match since 2011.
- Panthers winger Brian To’o has scored 12 tries in 10 games at BlueBet Stadium in 2023.
- The Panthers have won their past seven games against the Warriors.
- Warriors winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has scored 19 tries in his past 13 games. He requires two tries in Saturday’s qualifying final to equal the Warriors’ record for most tries in a season, held by Francis Meli (2003) and David Fusitu’a (2018) with 23.
- The Panthers have won their past six finals matches.
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Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.