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NRL Finals: Bulldogs v Panthers Preview
It's now up to the Bulldogs top stop the Panthers from inching closer to a fifth-consecutive premiership.
Jason Oliver
September 20, 2025
The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs fell short in Week 1 and have been presented with a path to the Preliminary Finals through the four-time premier Penrith Panthers.
Where the Canberra Raiders and Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks presented as an exciting matchup of relatively contrasting styles, the Bulldogs and Panthers read from a similar sheet.
ICYMI: Raiders v Sharks Preview
“They do play similar, and it’ll be a great match-up,” said Liam Martin during the week.
Isaah Yeo back up the idea further: “We match up well with each other. We both have similar styles, we want ball in play, we back our defences.”
Bulldogs v Panthers Key Points
History shows you need to be in the Top 3 to win the premiership. Right now, the Panthers are the best defensive team in the competition.
We’re going to see long periods of play without stoppages, and the team that can hold on for the longest without an error or penalty will come out on top.
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So, What Is That Similar Style?
The most obvious is the importance that is put on the kick-chase and the possession and territory gains that come with a good one.
Matt Burton has one of the best boots in the NRL, and Viliame Kikau is the premier kick-chaser in the competition. How the Bulldogs adjust to the new halves pairing and whether or not they find ways to use Burton’s boot in yardage will be something to keep an eye on early. Meanwhile, Nathan Cleary so often kicks the Panthers out of trouble. The opposition can’t claim to have won a set until they have fielded a kick and returned it up the field. No Panthers set is ever lost when Cleary can still kick them out of trouble.
Attacking the line, the role of a ball-playing middle is fundamental to how each team moves the ball. It has been a regular feature of the Panthers’ attack over the years that has allowed Nathan Cleary to move across the field when he spies opportunities, with Yeo stepping into the ball-playing role.
The Bulldogs mounted an impressive comeback in Round 10, which provided a glimpse into their development with the ball.
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