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A fifth straight premiership is still very much on the cards for the Panthers after an 8-6 win over the Bulldogs on Thursday night.
With their five Origin stars back on deck and stamping their class on the match the Panthers completed at 88 per cent and came up with 35 tackle breaks to 27.
The Bulldogs have been the benchmark all season and lost no admirers tonight and went within an ace of snatching the game in the dying seconds.
The showdown between the best team of 2025 and the best team of the past four seasons proved a fitting opener to Beanie For Brain Cancer Round.
Follow all the Round 17 action on NRL.com's live blog.
Panthers v Bulldogs at CommBank Stadium
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Panthers v Bulldogs – Round 17, 2025
Match: Panthers v Bulldogs
Round 17 -
home Team
Panthers
5th Position
away Team
Bulldogs
2nd Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
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Bulldogs: Round 17
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Panthers: Round 17
Taking centre stage: The battle between Stephen Crichton (19 runs for 208 metres, three tackle breaks) and youngster Casey McLean (15 runs for 133 metres, four tackle breaks) was an absolute ripper. Time and again the Bulldogs skipper got early ball and put his trademark moves on McLean but the teenager more than held his own. "I thought Casey was outstanding tonight against a world-class player," said Nathan Cleary post-match. "I was super proud of him."
Working themselves to a standstill: Panthers hooker Mitch Kenny came up with 64 tackles while Isaah Yeo made 52 and Lindsay Smith and Liam Martin made 40 each. The Bulldogs' defence was also magnificent with Jacob Preston (44 tackles), Max King (43), Harry Hayes (42) and Reed Mahoney (40) all standing tall.
Dylan's the No.1 gun: Panthers fullback Dylan Edwards was simply superb with 26 runs for 292 metres, seven tackle breaks and a line break. He was ably supported by Brian To'o (24 runs for 184 metres).
Full-time: The game of the year to date sees the defending champs down the ladder leaders to jump to sixth on the table. The Panthers have now won four straight to put their premiership campaign back on track.
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What a finish!
80 min: The Bulldogs launch one last raid and create space on the right but Stephen Crichton's final pass goes astray as the Panthers' defence swarms and the premiers are home 8-6.
78 min: Brian To'o is penalised and placed on report for a high shot on Bronson Xerri. The Dogs decide to go for a try but Matt Burton puts the ball down in a Blaize Talagi tackle.
76 min: The Bulldogs are penalised for a strip 25 metres out from their own line. Dylan Edwards takes the shot and hits the upright. Panthers still lead 8-6.
75 min: Connor Tracey comes up with another superb take under the high ball with Tom Jenkins breathing down his neck.
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Montoya all technique
70 min: The Bulldogs go close after Stephen Crichton grubbers and Marcelo Montoya keeps the ball alive with a second kick but the ball rolls dead in goal.
68 min: Stephen Crichton flies high to pull down a Lachlan Galvin kick and turns the ball inside to Toby Sexton who is swamped by the Panthers' defence.
63 min: Jacob Kiraz finds space but Izack Tago comes across in cover and forces him into touch so the Panthers get another shot but the Dogs defence holds firm.
61 min: Lindsay Smith comes up with an error as Stephen Crichton shuts him down.
60 min: A loose offload by Viliame Kikau is knocked on by Jacob Kiraz and the Panthers go on the attack after a high tackle penalty against Jacob Preston.
57 min: Nathan Cleary launches a high ball, Liam Martin flies high but knocks on in the contest and the Bulldogs work the ball away.
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Nathan Cleary Try
54 min: Matt Burton goes to kick on the fourth tackle from 30 metres out from his own line but Nathan Cleary comes up with a huge play to charge the ball down and regather to score. Dylan Edwards converts. Panthers 8-6.
52 min: Cameron Ciraldo sends Lachlan Galvin into the game.
50 min: Nathan Cleary has a chip over the top charged down and the ball bounces back to Isaah Yeo who can't control it and knocks on.
43 min: The Bulldogs make the ball sing to the right edge but Marcelo Montoya comes up with an error as the Panthers defence shuts him down.
Half-time: The Bulldogs take a 6-2 lead to the sheds at the end of a sensational first half featuring some of the best defence of the season. Both sides completed above 80 per cent and threw plenty at their opposition but only try was scored. Dylan Edwards had 14 runs for 157 metres while his opposite number Connor Tracey came up with nine runs, three tackle breaks and two trysaving tackles.
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Tracey does it again!
40 min: The Panthers knock back two points and go for a try but come up empty as Stephen Crichton and Connor Tracey cut down Blaize Talagi within sight of the line.
39 min: The Panthers get a late shot at points but Isaiah Papali'i puts the ball down close to the line. The Panthers throw in a captain's challenge and the bunker rules Kurt Mann had stripped the ball.
38 min: Matt Burton launches one of his trademark swirling bombs and Dylan Edwards allows it to bounce but the Bulldogs are penalised for being in front of the kicker and going inside the 10 metres.
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Jacob Preston Try
33 min: The Bulldogs grab the opening try when Toby Sexton turns the ball inside to Connor Tracey who finds Reed Mahoney and the hooker sends Jacob Preston over for his sixth try of the season. Stephen Crichton converts. Bulldogs 6-2.
27 min: Nathan Cleary takes the ball to the line and is taken high by Viliame Kikau. With Cleary not taking the goal kicks tonight it is Dylan Edwards who steps up from 15 metres out right in front to give the premiers first points. Panthers 2-0.
25 min: Jacob Preston gets into a hole but puts the ball down as the Bulldogs fail to capitalise on the weight of early possession (55 per cent to 45 per cent).
23 min: A mistake by Marcelo Montoya as he puts his foot on the sideline as he gets into dummy half close to the tryline and the opportunity is lost.
21 min: On the back of a six-again call the Bulldogs get two sets inside the Red Zone but the Panthers' defence stands tall with Izack Tago coming up with a great low tackle on Viliame Kikau.
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How did Tracey do that?
18 min: Connor Tracey comes up with a sensational trysaver on the goal line to deny Blaize Talagi the opening try.
15 min: On the back of a high tackle penalty against Tom Jenkins the Bulldogs march down field and Matt Burton finds space on the left edge but is dragged into touch by the cover defence.
9 min: Matt Burton goes to the short side and grubbers into the in goal and Dylan Edwards is forced to knock it dead.
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The biggest chip and chase ever
7 min: Nathan Cleary kicks on the fourth tackle and Luke Garner regathers before the Panthers grubber into the in goal and earn a line dropout but the Bulldogs go short and get the ball back.
1 min: Bulldogs prop Daniel Suluka-Fifita is sent for a head injury assessment after a heavy collision with Moses Leota in the opening tackle of the match. He is deemed a Category One head knock and won't return.
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Cleary gives an update on his injury
Late Mail
Panthers: Luke Garner will start and Isaiah Papalii goes to the bench in a late switch an hour before kick-off. Halfback Nathan Cleary (groin) is good to go as are Penrith's other four Origin reps.
Bulldogs: The Bulldogs are 1-17 with no late changes. Stephen Crichton, Max King, Kurt Mann and Matt Burton are all back after missing the win over Souths on Blues duty. Jacob Kiraz slides to the wing, Lachlan Galvin reverts to the bench while Kurt Morrin goes to 18th man.
Numbers Game
- The Panthers have won their past seven games against the Bulldogs.
- Bulldogs winger Marcelo Montoya will make his 150th NRL appearance.
- Panthers forward Luke Garner has scored seven tries in his past eight games against the Bulldogs.
- The Bulldogs have won only one of their past four games at CommBank Stadium.
- Panthers winger Thomas Jenkins has scored eight tries in his past six games.