SYDNEY, 26 September 2004 — Canterbury Bulldogs overpowered defending champions Penrith Panthers in the second half to advance to next weekend’s National Rugby League grand final with a dominant 30-14 victory in the preliminary final here yesterday. The Bulldogs scored five tries to two with Lebanese winger Hazem El Masri scoring a hat trick of tries and kicking five goals to be the first team through to next Sunday’s season decider. Sydney Roosters take on the North Queensland Cowboys in today’s other preliminary final to decide who plays the Bulldogs.
The Panthers, who beat the Roosters in last season’s grand final, led 8-4 at halftime but could not withstand the powerful Bulldogs’ charge in the second half with Canterbury’s forwards outstanding in the bruising exchanges. The Bulldogs lost their skipper and forward leader Steven Price with a knee injury in only the second tackle of the match but after weathering a strong Penrith opening they gradually took control.
Penrith only led 2-0 for all their territorial dominance in the opening 20 minutes before the Bulldogs scored the first try through El Masri, who swooped on a kick for the corner by scrumhalf Brent Sherwin to score.
Just when the Panthers looked to be flagging they conjured a marvelous counter-attacking try to fullback Rhys Wesser sparked by a standoff Preston Campbell break five minutes before halftime to wrest the lead 8-4.
But the Bulldogs were irresistible in the second half.
