NRL Match Report | Finals Week 1 v Penrith

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Full-time: The Panthers are through to a seventh-straight preliminary final after outlasting the Roosters in a finals classic at CommBank Stadium. Nathan Cleary was the hero with the go-ahead field goal but it wasn't all smooth sailing for the halfback. Cleary spent 10 minutes in the sin bin and picked up a leg injury late in the contest. The Roosters must now quickly regroup before hosting the Sharks in a sudden-death final next Saturday night. Panthers 19 - Roosters 12.

78th minute: Brian To'o may have sent Penrith into another preliminary final. Down by one, the Roosters were forced to chase the game and throw the ball around. They had space on the left edge but Blaize Talagi and To'o rushed up to shut it down, To'o scooping up the ball and running 40 metres to extend his side's lead beyond a converted try. The Roosters have just 85 seconds to score twice. To add to the drama, Dylan Edwards took the conversion as Nathan Cleary hobbles with a leg injury. Panthers 19 - Roosters 12. 

74th minute: Daly Cherry-Evans has had his chance at a one-pointer but he's pushed it wide. The Roosters halfback took the kick on the fourth tackle amid heavy pressure and Penrith breathe a sigh of relief. Panthers 13 - Roosters 12.

72nd minute: Nathan Cleary had one chance and he made the most of it. A quick Moses Leota play the ball had the Roosters defence retreating, Cleary stepped into first receiver and slotted the field goal. Roosters still have plenty of time to hit back. Meanwhile, Salesi Foketi has been asked to leave the field for an HIA, Nat Butcher comes on in his place. Panthers 13 - Roosters 12. 

70th minute: We remain locked up entering the final 10 minutes of this contest. We haven't had a point since the 36th minute mark and field goals will now start to come into play. Both Nathan Cleary and Daly Cherry-Evans a one-point specialists and Penrith might have their chance after a Cherry-Evans kicked rolled dead to hand the hosts a seven-tackle set. Panthers 12 - Roosters 12.

65th minute: It's all happening at CommBank Stadium. The Roosters forced an error from a Hugo Savala bomb and they came close to scoring on multiple tackles. Rob Toia then spilled the ball and Penrith looked as though they were going to take it 90 metres back the other way. The first pass, however, was forward so play is blown up but it's still Penrith ball. Panthers 12 - Roosters 12.

62nd minute: Penrith have their chance now after Billy Smith was penalised for a lifting tackle on Dylan Edwards. It's an attacking set of six and Ivan Cleaey has turned to his bench, injecting Moses Leota back into the contest. Panthers 12 - Roosters 12.

58th minute: The defensive intensity has lifted a notch with both teams forcing errors through their defence. A Daly Cherry-Evans kick turned the Panthers around and the kick-chase pressure led to an error but Mitch Kenny stood tall for his side to force a Roosters mistake from the ensuing set of six. Panthers 12 - Roosters 12.

55th minute: The Roosters defence has been superb this afternoon and they've produced another goal-line stand. Penrith had multiple sets in the attacking 20-metre zone but it came undone when Isaah Yeo spilled the ball in a tackle. Panthers 12 - Roosters 12.

50th minute: Nathan Cleary is back on the field and the Panthers are back to 13 men. The Roosters did not score a point with the one-man advantage and we remain all locked up. Meanwhile, we've got a Captain's Challenge after Brian To'o was ruled to have knocked the ball on in the contest for a bomb. The Bunker has ruled To'o touched it before Daniel Tupou did, it's an unsuccessful challenge and both teams are out of challenges. Panthers 12 - Roosters 12. 

48th minute: Penrith have done well to control possession while down a man and they've forced another error out of the Roosters. A penalty gave the visitors attacking field position but a left shift came undone and Daniel Tupou spilled the ball. Panthers 12 - Roosters 12.

43rd minute: We're off to the Bunker with Hugo Savala claiming a try. The on-field referee has ruled a double movement and replays show Savala's arm touched the ground before he reached out to ground the ball over the line. Penrith survive an early scare and we remain locked at 12-all. Panthers 12 - Roosters 12. 

Kick-off: We are back underway for the second half and the Roosters will look to immediately capitalise on the man advantage. Penrith must find a way to hold the fort without their halfback before he returns in nine minutes time. Jack Cole will take on the primary playmaking duties in Cleary's absence. Panthers 12 - Roosters 12.

Half-time: A massive moment in the final seconds of the half with Nathan Cleary colliding with Hugo Savala's legs as he attempted to kick the ball. The Penrith halfback has been sent to the sin bin, with the Roosters taking the shot at goal but Savala pushed it wide. We are all locked up at the break however the Panthers will be without Cleary for the first nine minutes of the second half and he will face a nervous wait for the charge sheet to come out on Monday morning. Panthers 12 - Roosters 12.

36th minute: Give Penrith a chance and they will happily capitalise. A Roosters error near midfield handed the Panthers a chance to attack and Nathan Cleary found space for Dylan Edwards by changing the direction of attack and passing back infield for the fullback. Edwards surged through a gap and beat James Tedesco to score a crucial try as half-time approaches. Panthers 12 - Roosters 12. 

32nd minute: The match has been an arm-wrestle for the past few minutes with both teams going set for set. We've had more than five minutes since the last stoppage but the door might be ajar ever so slightly for the Roosters. Isaiah Papali'i was tackled on the last, handing the Roosters possession 35 metres out from their own line. The Roosters have been dealt a blow, however, with Egan Butcher failing his HIA, while Penrith hooker Mitch Kenny has also now left the field for an HIA. Panthers 6 - Roosters 12.

24th minute: Momentum has shifted the Roosters way and Mark Nawaqanitawase has produced a miracle moment to put his side in front. Penrith had the Roosters stretched but the winger stuck his right hand out, tapped the ball up and got under it before it hit the deck. He got back on his feet and ran 45 metres to score the try. Penrith coach Ivan Cleary has now turned to his bench injecting Isaah Yeo into the fray in a bid to change the energy. Panthers 6 - Roosters 12.

20th minute: It hasn't taken long for the Roosters to capitalise. A set restart put them on the front foot and Daniel Tupou made a break down the left edge. The winger was tackled but the Roosters shifted back to the right and Rob Toia was good enough to beat the Penrith cover defence and score the try. Lindsay Collins has also left the field and headed straight up the tunnel for some treatment. Panthers 6 - Roosters 6. 

19th minute: A big call going the Roosters way and it may just ease some of the pressure. A Nathan Cleary grubber was knocked down by James Tedesco, with Mitch Kenny knocking it on while trying to dive on the loose ball. It was ruled a charge down and it's Roosters ball. The visitors have been dealt a blow with Egan Butcher leaving the field for an HIA. Panthers 6 - Roosters 0.

12th minute: The early Penrith onslaught has resulted in points and they've come in spectacular fashion. Nathan Cleary put the ball in the air, Liam Martin outleapt the pack and slammed the ball down upon return to Earth. Panthers 6 - Roosters 0.

8th minute: The Roosters have lodged a Captain's Challenge after Lindsay Collins was ruled to have knocked the ball on in the scramble for a loose ball. The Bunker has ruled Collins fingers touched the ball and it travelled forward. Unsuccessful challenge and Penrith have another attacking set of six. Panthers 0 - Roosters 0.

7th minute: We're off to the Bunker with Mark Nawaqanitawase producing another sensational defensive play. Tom Jenkins looked destined to score in the corner but cut back infield and couldn't get past his opposite winger. The chance came after Rob Toia spilled a bomb, with Jack Cole scooping up the loose ball and passing it over the top to Jenkins. It's no try but Penrith have a fresh attacking set. Panthers 0 - Roosters 0.

4th minute: There's some early fireworks with Nathan Cleary throwing a dummy and sliding through the Roosters defensive line. Daly Cherry-Evans got back to tackle the Penrith halfback but the Panthers quickly shifted the ball to the left wing. Mark Nawaqanitawase was up to the task and took an intercept to shut down the opportunity. Panthers 0 - Roosters 0.

Kick-off: We are underway at CommBank Stadium with a clear passage to the preliminary final on the line while the loser will play the Sharks in a sudden-death semi-final next weekend. The Roosters toppled Penrith a month ago however it's been a tough few weeks since then and they're eager to recreate that performance this afternoon. The Panthers are finals specialists and Nathan Cleary will look to lead his team to another big win. Panthers 0 - Roosters 0.

Stat Attack

• The Panthers have won 12 of their last 14 games against the Roosters.
• The Roosters have won only one of their last five finals games.
• Panthers winger Thomas Jenkins has scored 12 tries in his last 11 games at CommBank Stadium.
• The Roosters have not defeated the Panthers in a finals match since 2010.
  • Panthers winger Brian To’o has scored 17 tries in 18 finals appearances.

Late Mail

Panthers: A minor groin strain to Luke Garner has prompted a reshuffle for the Panthers with Blaize Talagi coming into the centres. Skipper Isaah Yeo has also shifted to the bench, with Liam Henry to start at prop and Lindsay Smith moving to lock. Jesse McLean is the other new face on the six-man bench. Scott Sorensen re-joins the bench after he was rested last following a gruelling campaign in which he had played every match. The Panthers have won 12 of their last 14 games against the Roosters.

Roosters: One late change for the Roosters with Egan Butcher to start in the back row and Salesi Foketi shifting to the interchange. Angus Crichton was ruled out on Saturday after failing to overcome a foot injury. Victor Radley returns from concussion in another boost. Premiership winner Daly Cherry-Evans takes over at halfback with Sam Walker gone for the season and will team with Hugo Savala in the No.6. Captain James Tedesco is back in the No.1 jersey after an unsettled end to the season which saw him miss three games with an ankle injury before returning for one game and then being rested last week.