NRL 2025 LIVE updates: Panthers hold mammoth margin at half-time as Cleary’s team bully Bulldogs
By Billie Eder
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NRL 2025 LIVE updates: Panthers hold mammoth margin at half-time as Cleary’s team bully Bulldogs
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NRL 2025 LIVE updates: Panthers hold mammoth margin at half-time as Cleary’s team bully Bulldogs
By Billie Eder
Updated September 21, 2025 — 5.11pmfirst published at 3.15pm
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5.04pmThe stats at half-time
4.59pmPenrith hold mammoth margin at half-time
4.55pmPapali’i scores for Penrith as half-time nears
4.49pmPanthers pull away as Henry scores
4.45pmTo’o scores a double
4.35pmAlamoti and Cleary link-up for points
4.30pmGalvin scores to make it a four-point game
4.24pmPanthers add to tally with Alamoti try
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Second half under way
What did Cameron Ciraldo say to his team at half-time? That’s what I want to know. And, can it inspire a comeback?
It’s a 28-point deficit for the hosts, but there is such thing as miracles in rugby league.
Realistically, the Panthers run away with this one. At this point, it’s about minimising damage and salvaging some pride for Canterbury.
The stats at half-time
Penrith hold mammoth margin at half-time
That’s half-time at Accor Stadium and just…wow.
It was a widely held view the Penrith would likely win this one, but I’m not sure anyone predicted the margin would be this big, and counting.
This is the biggest half-time margin ever in a finals game…yikes.
Half-time: Panthers 36, Bulldogs 8
Jacob Preston looks on as Brian To’o celebrates scoring a try.Credit: Getty Images
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Papali’i scores for Penrith as half-time nears
The Panthers have no plans of slowing down as we near half-time, with Nathan Cleary once again setting up a play that leads to a Penrith try.
It’s Cleary and To’o linking up on the left edge, and the kick back in field from To’o is perfect, as it sits up perfectly for Isaiah Papali’i to scoop it up and score.
Panthers 36, Bulldogs 8 after 39 minutes
Panthers pull away as Henry scores
If you’re a Bulldogs fan, look away.
Mitch Kenny puts a little grubber between Jaeman Salmon and Harry Hayes, and it’s Liam Henry who makes the effort to charge through and ground the ball inches before it goes dead.
It’s all coming together for the Panthers, who have silenced the tens of thousands of Bulldogs fans.
Panthers 30, Bulldogs 8 after 35 minutes
To’o scores a double
Nathan Cleary and Blaize Talagi link-up to set Brian To’o up for his second try of the afternoon.
It could start to get ugly here, with the points flowing too freely for the reigning premiers now.
The Bulldogs right edge defence of Jacob Kiraz and Bronson Xerri was nowhere to be seen, with the two jamming in with a narrow focus of Casey McLean.
But McLean easily got the ball away to To’o on the outside, and To’o went across untouched, with Lachlan Galvin giving up as he came across the field.
Panthers 24, Bulldogs 8 after 31 minutes
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Walsh’s view: this isn’t classic Penrith
Canterbury’s points have come via their best attacking weapon – Jacob Preston hitting holes outside Lachlan Galvin.
Credit to Reed Mahoney’s sharp work against one marker and picking out the short-side switch that was on. The Dogs can’t die wondering.
Unfortunately though Penrith have multiple gears and dry Sunday afternoon football suits a team with years to hone their combinations.
I can’t recall them starting a final this expansively… ever.
Alamoti and Cleary link-up for points
Already this game has been higher scoring than I anticipated.
For two sides who pride themselves on defence, each team’s attack are doing a pretty good job of poking some holes in them… Panthers more than Bulldogs so far.
This time it’s Nathan Cleary who scores and takes a bow after Paul Alamoti beat Jethro Rinakama down the right edge and passed back on the inside.
Cleary converts from in front and the buffer is once again 10.
Panthers 18, Bulldogs 8 after 22 minutes
What the stats show so far
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Galvin scores to make it a four-point game
We have a glimpse, a glimpse of what Lachlan Galvin is capable of.
After his earlier error, which led to the Paul Alamoti try, the Bulldogs No.6 puts Jacob Preston through the Panthers line with a perfect short ball.
It’s a beautiful pass, and as Preston takes off up field, it’s Galvin in support back on the inside for Preston to pass to and he scores.
Matt Burton converts and it’s a four-point game.
Panthers 12, Bulldogs 8 after 19 minutes
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