The Cowboys have laid down a warning to the NRL, hammering the Bulldogs 44-6 at Stadium Australia to secure a home elimination final in Townsville.
Later, the Panthers hung on to secure a home final and a top-two finish by edging past the Titans 18-12 in an error-strewn display at Penrith Park.
Meanwhile, the Canberra Raiders may need a miracle to play finals football, but kept their season alive with a miraculous comeback from 24-6 down to beat the Dragons 26-24 in a thriller at Kogarah oval.
In the performance of the evening, the Cowboys showed that they are in impressive form by downing the Bulldogs so comprehensively at Stadium Australia.
The Bulldogs were well off the pace, as the Cowboys ran rampant. (Getty Images: Mark Nolan)
Both sides needed to win to secure a home elimination final, but only one of them showed up, as the Cowboys dominated from start to finish.
Kyle Feldt scored the first of his two tries, Heilum Luki capped a brilliant display with a score, and Scott Drinkwater added a third as the Cowboys led 20- at half time.
Feldt added a second — his 150th career score for the Cowboys after the break — with Val Holmes, who was a perfect eight-from-eight with the boot, also crossing before the Bulldogs eventually got on the board through Toby Sexton.
Murray Taulagi scored a late double though to underline the Cowboys dominance and secure a thoroughly impressive win that coach Todd Payten believes could see his side win the premiership despite not finishing in the top four.
"The competition is pretty open," Payton said.
"But I think momentum and availability from your players is a huge part of this next little period.
"And we've got the ability, the belief is there. Anything is possible. I'm really excited about what lies ahead for us."
In the late game, two-time premiers Penrith will need to show improvement after battling to see off the Titans.
Jayden Campbell sprinkled his magic on Penrith to give the Titans the lead. (Getty Images: Matt Blyth)
Brian To'o, Dylan Edwards and Luke Garner all scored for the hosts.
However, Jayden Campbell's sparkling solo score in the first half and Alofiana Khan-Pereira's late try made for a nervous evening for the capacity crowd at the soon-to-be demolished Penrith Park.
The Raiders will have to hope that Sunday's blockbuster between the Knights and Dolphins ends in a draw for them to progress — something Ricky Stuart joked was unlikely in his post-match press conference.
"Our review's at church tomorrow at Manuka in the big cathedral. We'll say a couple of prayers," Stuart said.
"Some really disappointing performances through the season have put us this position.
"It's our own doing."
Corey Horsburgh scored the match-winning try for the Raiders. (Getty Images: Mark Metcalfe)
But they gave themselves a chance thanks to a remarkable comeback, capped by Corey Horsburgh's remarkable solo try, where the big forward scuffed a grubber to himself, regathered and crashed over.
The Dragons had scored four unanswered tries in the first 20 minutes through Tom Eisenhuth, Jacob Liddle, Jaydn Su'A and Lyhkan King-Togia.
Danny Levi and Xavier Savage did cross for the Raiders in that first half, but the tide seriously turned in the second period, with Albert Hopoate, Hudson Young and Horsburgh all scoring.
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Thanks Simon, this final round just keeps getting better - go the Phins tomorrow.
- Mike
Another two games for you tomorrow to enjoy, starting with the Sea Eagles against the Sharks from 2:00pm AEST, before the Knights and Dolphins clash in what could be a classic in the Hunter from 4:05pm.
The ABC Blog will be here to guide you through all that action so, until then, good night and catch you tomorrow.
Evening Simon et al. Maybe I'm simply forgetful of previous magical years but I've considered this season one of the best ever. We' may have complained about decisions, rules and refereeing but in every round most games have provided a quality of football rarely seen previously. Each week it's made a great escape from all that beyond the front gate. My team may not progress too much further but hey ! it's been a thoroughly enjoyable journey.
- Old timer
I don't think you're wrong, Old timer.
The performances are getting better and better in this league, each and every year.
It's hugely impressive what we just expect these athletes to do now.
It was far from being vintage Panthers.
But they did just enough to beat the brave Gold Coast Titans at Penrith Park.
The Panthers scored first through Brian To'o, but the packed crowd was stunned into silence by a piece of magic from Jayden Campbell, who scored a stunning solo try to hand the Titans the lead at the break.
Dylan Edwards and Luke Garner both scored in the 10 minutes after halftime to restore some form of normality to proceedings.
But then Alofiana Khan-Pereira crashed over to set up a grand finale.
The Panthers had Paul Alamoti kick a penalty late on, so concerned were they at being shocked.
But the two-time defending premiers held on to finish inside the NRLs top two for the fifth consecutive season and secure a home final in week one.
There's a bit of claret coming from the nose of Jarome Luai as the Panthers man tried to break through the line.
It was Kieran Foran who got him.
The words streaming from Luai's mouth matches the blood coming from his nose at the moment - he aint happy about things.
A sign of how nervous the Panthers are is that Alamoti will kick a penalty - which they do to make it a six-point game.
The Panthers lead 18-12.
AlofianaKhan-Pereira has powered home to score in the corner!
A loose pass from Dylan Edwards saw the ball go to ground as the Panthers attack misfired again.
And it was picked up by Alofiana Khan-Pereira who raced 90 metres to score!
Izack
Tago
chased hard.
Izack
Tago
got a solid clip on the ankle of AlofianaKhan-Pereira
But AlofianaKhan-Pereira could not be stopped!
The kick is good, and with 10 minutes remaining it's 16-12!
Game on!
Great tackle from Beau Fermor covering across to turn Alamoti's shoulders and cause him to drop the ball.
It's been end to end for the last few minutes - without a single try to show for it.
Brian Kelly
has scored a remarkable try!
Dylan Edwards slides on his knees into the in goal to smother a grubber.
Kelly then ripped the ball out of his arms and scored!
But is there a microscopic knock on there? I have to say, I really hate these types of calls.
But, thems the rules, it's no try,
Two tries chalked off in as many minutes.
Jacob Alick-Wiencke and Jayden Campbell are on the ground under Brian To'o as he crashes over.
And I think he's stopped him from getting the ball down!
Chris Buttler looked like he had given a try, then he corrected himself and said no try.
The bunker is looking - the ball might be on the ground, but referee Buttler said that it was no try based on him losing the ball!
And it is no try!
Oh no.
The wheels are falling off.
Brian Kelly flops amidst an admittedly fair amount of pressure from the Panthers tacklers as he tries to get up.
He loses the ball, blows up at referee Chris Buttler.
And gives away a penalty instead.
Sorry Simon, my comment was cut by the fax machine - what I actually said was "A lot of people are pretty sure the 'away team run' will end here - but I'm not so sure" :)
- Mike
No wait! I meant "Like a lot of people, I'm pretty sure the.......Oh never mind! I'll go to my corner now...
- Mike
Oh that's not great from Jayden Campbell.
A man who has been so good in attack, fumbles a kick through from Jarome Luai.
Luai looked a bit relieved to be honest, it wasn't a great kick or choice and really needed the error to make it look OK.
But, the error did come, so I guess that makes it a good kick.
Panthers on the attack.
There was an attempted flick out the back of a tackle from a Titans runner on the left edge, and the ball has gone forward into the hands of To'o, who races away with it, dragging Alofiana Khan-Pereira with him before he is swung to ground.
A loose carry from the Panthers back rower.
Not a great effort to be honest, and not a great night for the number 12.
He looks a big miffed to be honest, but it was a clear call.
Luke Garner it is this time as he crashes over on the left side thanks to a really good kick from Jarome Luai.
That was so much better, and the Titans, having looked so good in the opening 40 minutes, simply haven't come out for this second half yet.
Paul Alamoti kicks the extras to give the Panthers a 10-point lead.
It's 16-6.
Something has clicked for the Panthers at half time - this is so much more like it.
Perhaps Ivan Cleary had one of those rockets that exploded above Penrith Park a few moments ago in the dressing room to put up his team.
It's worked, whatever he did.
They start their set on the half way, but a loose pass at the end finishes the move with a whimper.
Cutting back on the inside was Dylan Edwards, taking the inside pass from Brad Schneider and racing through a gaping hole to bring the good times back to Penrith Park.
The fireworks were only 60 seconds premature as it happens.
The kick from Paul Alamoti curls in.
It's 10-6 to the hosts as the home fans wave their flags.
Seemingly randomly, because there is not much happening on field at the moment.
Although as I write that, the Panthers get a repeat set.
The fireworks may be overkill, but I prefer that to the klaxon...
The atmosphere, on a night of celebration, is as flat as these stands will be in a matter of months.
Pretty sure the 'away team run' will end here...
- Mike
Penrith needs to step up in a big way, or we could have a big shock on our hands here.
I mean, they almost certainly will - but it's fun to believe for a bit, isn't it?
Well, hands up if you thought this was going to be the case?
The Panthers look like they have turned up and expected just to win this game comfortably.
But the Titans have turned up to play and, to be honest, have blown a couple of chances to put them even further in the lead than the 6-4 advantage they do possess.
The Titans have made more than twice as many tackle breaks (16 to 7) as the Panthers and it's showed.
The Panthers have been really poor and, although the boos from the crowd were not for them, you wouldn't be surprised if there is a fair amount of disappointment rattling around a packed Penrith Park at the moment.
If they don't get a home final, they won't ever be back here in this stadiums' current guise.
If they drop to fourth on the ladder, they'll face a trip to Melbourne in week one of the finals...
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