Canterbury eliminate Penrith to meet South Sydney in Grand Final

The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs have booked themselves a place in the 2014 NRL Grand Final against the South Sydney Rabbitohs as they eliminated the Penrith Panthers, 18-12 at ANZ Stadium, in front of 46,168 fans.

James Graham was instrumental in the Bulldogs hard fought victory as his work rate and tirades caused trouble for the Panthers all night.

Graham was rewarded for his efforts early on as he sailed under the uprights for the Bulldogs first points after 14 minutes. Michael Ennis, who later left the field with a foot injury, provided the dummy half pass to bring up the 6-0 lead.

Josh Jackson followed this play up 10 minutes later as another surging run saw the Panthers defence collapse. Josh Reynolds executed the final pass as the Bulldogs jumped to 12-0 after almost 30 minutes of play.

Tony Williams may have a concern with the NRL Match Review Committee as he was placed on report in the 35th minute for a high tackle on Josh Mansour.

On the stroke of half time, Matt Moylan sliced the Bulldogs defence with a Johnathan Thurston-esque dummy run. Penrith closed the gap to 12-6 as they headed into the break.

It's been touted as one of the try savers of the decade, and rightfully so. Lewis Brown pulled off a remarkable one-on-one tackle to stop Tim Lafai's certain try in the 55th minute. His solo effort on two occasions prevented the outside back crossing for Canterbury.

Dale Finucance all but secured victory with his four-pointer at the 58th minute as Greg Eastwood rocketed a late pass to set up the Bulldogs third try. Canterbury extended their lead to 18-6.

The Panthers flourished in the final 10 minutes as they looked to keep their Grand Final berth alive. Dallin Watene Zelezniak was awarded Penrith's second try by the video referee as he cleaned up a Jamie Soward last tackle kick. However, it wasn't enough as the Bulldogs held on to claim passage into the Grand Final, 18-12.

Next week, it's the big dance as the South Sydney Rabbitohs clash with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs for the first time in a Grand Final since 1967.

PENRITH PANTHERS (12)
Tries: Matt Moylan, Dallin Watene Zelezniak
Field Goals:
Conversions: Jamie Soward (2/2)
Penalty Goals:

CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS (18)
Tries: James Graham, Josh Jackson, Dale Finucane
Field Goals:
Conversions: Timoteo Lafai (3/3)
Penalty Goals:

LATE MAIL: Bulldogs - Reni Maitua, Mose Mbye and Harlan Alaalatoa drop off the extended bench. Tim Browne fills the 17th spot in jersey 22.

LATE MAIL: Penrith Panthers - Adam Docker starts at lock, seeing Nigel Plum drop back to the interchange. Kevin Naiqama and Sam Anderson not required off the extended bench.

Welcome to LeagueUnlimited.com's LIVE NRL FINALS coverage from ANZ Stadium as the Penrith Panthers and Canterbury Bulldogs do battle for a spot in the 2014 NRL Grand Final! The Panthers have continued to surprise the League with stunning performances across the latter part of the season. Canterbury scrapped into the top 8 and their fans will be nervous as they remain just one win from a Grand Final berth.

The key to a win tonight will be on the halves, the kicking game from both Trent Hodkinson and Jamie Soward will prove difficult for the opposition. It's a great game in the making and it all kicks off at 7:55pm!

Kick off moments away as the Bulldogs come out at ANZ Stadium, to be followed by the Panthers

1: We are UNDERWAY in this second Preliminary Final as the Bulldogs kick off through Michael Ennis. Panthers have first use of the ball.

1: First penalty to the Panthers, Ennis too long in the ruck as Adam Docker carried the ball forward. Jamie Soward finds the sideline and gives Penrith possession on half way

2: UNFORCED ERROR PENRITH PANTHERS
William Smith makes an unforced error.
Will Smith comes up with a fumble of the ball in the ruck. Let off for the Bulldogs who were backing on their try line.

3: Bulldogs get their first penalty, Hodkinson finds touch to give them set start 10m short of halfway

4: UNFORCED ERROR CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
James Graham makes an unforced error.
James Graham unable to hold onto possession and it's a scrum for the Panthers on half way

4: Incredible defence from the Bulldogs. Sika Manu is forced over the sideline on the eastern side, scrum for Canterbury in the middle of the field.

6: UNFORCED ERROR CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Timoteo Lafai makes an unforced error.
Timoteo Lafai gets hands on a bomb kick on last tackle, it rolled ahead of him and it's a change over at the 10 metre line for the Panthers

8: Tony Williams penalised for holding down in the ruck. Third of the game, this gives Panthers possession 20 metres short of half way

9: Josh Mansour draws a penalty with James Graham holding down. 4th of game and the Panthers go on the attack 10 metres out from the Bulldogs try line.

10: ZERO TACKLE for the Panthers, they attack inside the Bulldogs red zone

11: Another penalty… that's the 5th of the game. This time it comes for a second effort in the tackle after Corey Thompson took a kick return from Matt Robinson. Bulldogs attack inside the Panthers half

12: The sin bin has to come soon, it's the 6th on now. Dogs 20m out

13: Brilliant take from DWZ! Under pressure and comes up with possession. But before play gets started and the Bulldogs are back on the attack 10 metres out

13: 7 penalties in 13 minutes… Bulldogs quick tap 10 metres out

14: TRY CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Scored by James Graham. Kick to come.
James Graham darts back at the angle and sails under the posts as the Bulldogs fire quickly from acting half as Michael Ennis provided the short pass.

16: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Conversion attempt by Timoteo Lafai successful.
Tim Lafai slots the conversion easily from in front of the uprights to extend the Bulldogs early lead. Lafai with the kicking duties tonight due to an continually issue with his hamstring

17: Michael Ennis rockets a kick downfield, goes 60 metres on the bounce. 20m tap for Penrith

18: UNFORCED ERROR PENRITH PANTHERS
Adam Docker makes an unforced error.
Adam Docker comes up with a fumble at the ruck as he played the ball. Scrum for the Bulldogs deep inside their own half.

19: Penalty to the Bulldogs, strip in the ruck here. Bulldogs kick for line and attack 40 metres out from the Panthers line

20: Brilliant hands from Jamie Soward who linked with Moylan on the clean up after a rushed last tackle kick from Josh Reynolds

22: UNFORCED ERROR PENRITH PANTHERS
Dean Whare makes an unforced error.
Dean Whare ruled to have knocked on despite Corey Thompson getting a touch. Scrum Bulldogs 10 metres off their try line.

23: Josh Reynolds kicks for touch on the end of the set. Panthers pack down a scrum 25 metres out from their try line.

26: UNFORCED ERROR PENRITH PANTHERS
Dallin Watene Zelezniak makes an unforced error.
Dallin Watene Zelezniak made a great catch but then was bullied by Reynolds and lost the ball. ZERO TACKLE for the Bulldogs 10 metres out

27: TRY CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Scored by Josh Jackson. Kick to come.
Josh Jackson takes the change running line on offer as the Panthers defence slid infield and the Bulldogs have their set try off a great late pass from Josh Reynolds

27: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Conversion attempt by Timoteo Lafai successful.
Tim Lafai slots the conversion attempt from out wide of the posts and the Bulldogs make it a 12 point lead

31: UNFORCED ERROR CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Sam Perrett makes an unforced error.
Sam Perrett juggles the floating kick off the boot of Jamie Soward. Scrum for the Panthers 10 metres out

32: ZERO TACKLE for the Panthers, it's followed by another knock on as Corey Thompson almost came up with an intercept. A scrum packs for the Panthers 10 metres out

35: Josh Reynolds jumps on a loose ball and the Bulldogs have possession.

35: Time off, Tony Williams has taken Josh Mansour high with a swinging arm

35: Tony Williams is penalised and ON REPORT for his high tackle on Josh Mansour. Kick for the sideline gives the Panthers a full set on half way

36: Penalty to the Panthers, Bulldogs offside here. Penrith attack 5 metres out from a quick tap.

37: Trent Hodkinson jumps on Soward's kick in goal and concedes the line drop out

38: Well… penalty to the Panthers. Forward pass was there but Graham was offside at the ruck. Panthers 10 metres out

39: TRY PENRITH PANTHERS
Scored by Matt Moylan. Kick to come.
Matt Moylan has sailed over for the Panthers as he darted over on a short side raid.

40: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION PENRITH PANTHERS
Conversion attempt by Jamie Soward successful.
Jamie Soward slots the conversion attempt from out wide as the siren sounds for the half time break

40: HALF TIME at ANZ Stadium in this Preliminary Final sees the Bulldogs in control for the majority of the first half with a 12-6 lead at the break over the Panthers

41: Second half is UNDERWAY at ANZ Stadium as the Penrith Panthers kick off. Bulldogs come up with possession first through Dale Finucane

42: UNFORCED ERROR PENRITH PANTHERS
Jamal Idris makes an unforced error.
Jamal Idris fumbles a certain try as the bomb was placed for him. Change over on last tackle gives the possession back to the Bulldogs

43: Matt Moylan puts a kick over the sideline and it's a scrum for the Bulldogs 20 metres out from their own try line.

45: Michael Ennis is struggling to return to the Bulldogs pack tonight with a foot injury. Has not returned out of the sheds for the second half.

46: UNFORCED ERROR CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
David Klemmer makes an unforced error.
Dave Klemmer takes a surge forward and comes up with mistake. Scrum for the Panthers now.

48: Penalty to the Bulldogs, DWZ pinged for tackling Mitch Brown in the air

49: UNFORCED ERROR CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Dale Finucane makes an unforced error.
Dale Finucane comes up with the mistake. It's all followed up with some pushes between James Graham and James Segeyaro. Lewis Brown and Josh Reynolds getting friendly as well.

51: ZERO TACKLE for the Panthers after a mistake from the Bulldogs 20 metre tap. Panthers attack 35 metres out

51: Penalty to the Panthers. Soward kicks for touch, attacking 15m out

52: Penalty to the Bulldogs, Lewis Brown throws the ball off the ground after he took a dive to the try line.

55: VIDEO REFEREE for the Bulldogs, we have NO TRY!

55: NO TRY! Lewis Brown has saved the day with a brilliant tackle on Sam Perrett. It's a try saver on the decade, easily. It's ruled a strip in goal so we have a line drop out and a repeat set for the Bulldogs

58: TRY CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Scored by Dale Finucane. Kick to come.
Dale Finucane has darted over next to the uprights and the Bulldogs take another step towards the Grand Final. Greg Eastwood provided the late pass to set up the posts.

58: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Conversion attempt by Timoteo Lafai successful.
Tim Lafai slots the conversion attempt and they take a 12 point lead once again

60: Forward pass ruled against the Dogs. Scrum for Panthers

61: VIDEO REFEREE, certainly will be NO TRY. DWZ dropped it short of the corner

61: Dallin Watene Zelezniak gets RED LIGHTS as he dropped ball short of the corner post and it's a change over at the 10 metre line for the Bulldogs

64: ON REPORT: Brent Kite is penalised for a high tackle on Tim Lafai. Didn't look good on replay as his arm got his chin.

66: Time off here, a head clash between Sika Manu and Dean Whare. Looks bad for Whare who remains on the ground with the trainers.

66: Whare is back on his feet and comes straight off the field, wobbly. Concussion for him and unlikely to return tonight.

68: Penalty to the Bulldogs, Morris the one pinged. Count is 8-all, Panthers attacking 15 metres out

68: Time off here with James Segeyaro down after diving for the try line

69: Great work from Josh Morris, he defuses the play and the Bulldogs have possession deep in their own half.

71: VIDEO REFEREE for the Panthers, Dallin Watene Zelezniak has cleaned up a Jamie Soward bomb and sailed under the posts.

71: TRY PENRITH PANTHERS
Scored by Dallin Watene Zelezniak. Kick to come.
Dallin Watene Zelezniak gets GREEN LIGHTS as he sailed away to clean up a last tackle bomb kick and pluck the ball away from the Bulldogs to score and give the Panthers fans some late hope

72: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION PENRITH PANTHERS
Conversion attempt by Jamie Soward successful.
Jamie Soward with the quick conversion attempt slots the extras to make it a 6 point game

74: Charge down and the Panthers have possession half way.

75: PENALTY PANTHERS! Bulldogs offside and it's a full set 10m out.

76: UNFORCED ERROR PENRITH PANTHERS
Jamal Idris makes an unforced error.
Jamal Idris has lost the ball in the tackle of Tim Lafai and the long pass from Soward unable to get points for the Panthers

78: UNFORCED ERROR PENRITH PANTHERS
Jamie Soward makes an unforced error.
Jamie Soward comes up with mistake under pressure. Scrum for the Bulldogs 25 metres out from their own line.

80: FULL TIME: The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs are through to the 2014 #NRL Grand Final against the South Sydney Rabbitohs with a hard fought victory over the Penrith Panthers.