Relentless Panthers punish Storm to book spot in fourth straight grand final

The Panthers have booked a spot in their fourth consecutive grand final after a comprehensive 38-4 win over the Storm — their biggest-ever win in a final.

Powerhouse winger Brian To’o bagged a hat-trick, but it was the smarts of Nathan Cleary and effort of Isaah Yeo that stole the show.

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It took Penrith just three minutes to stamp their dominance with To’o crossing in the corner, before the Storm hit back through recalled centre Justin Olam in what was just about their only joy all night.

Tensions boiled over mid-way through the first half when a late push from Nelson Asofa-Solomona on Cleary handed the Panthers a free two points.

And then the flood gates opened with Penrith running in two tries within seven minutes of eachother — To’o the first and Sunia Turuva the second.

Any hope the Storm had left dried up when Cleary scored off the back of a barnstorming run from Liam Martin before Dylan Edwards backed it up with a try of his own two minutes later.

That was the cue for coach Ivan Cleary to pull Jarome Luai from the field after the star five-eighth’s successful 58-minute return from a shoulder injury.

Despite all but securing their spot in the decider, the Panthers didn’t take their foot off the gas as To’o went over for his third of the night.

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