The Penrith Panthers will be represented on NRL Grand Final day after the club’s Holden Cup team qualified for the season decider in the Under 20’s competition.
The Panthers thrashed the Warriors 50-16 in the Preliminary Final played at Suncorp Stadium this evening to secure their spot in the Holden Cup Grand Final.
The Panthers, who finished minor premiers, will play the winner of tomorrow’s match between Manly and North Queensland.
Penrith last won the Holden Cup Grand Final in 2013. Bryce Cartwright, who has emerged as an NRL superstar, was the competition’s leading point scorer that season.
The star-studded 2013 team also featured Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Waqa Blake, Issah Yeo, George Jennings and Reagan Campbell-Gillard.
The Panthers led the Warriors 14-4 at half-time despite conceding the first try and withstanding a significant number of attacking raids by the opposition.
Penrith completely dominated the second half, easily overpowering the Warriors and booking a place in the Grand Final at ANZ Stadium next weekend.
It’ll be a tough week for rising star Nathan Cleary, who will miss the Grand Final due to commitments with the Australian schoolboys side.
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