In the second half, it was Viliame Kikau soaring above Cowboys defenders in pursuit of a Nathan Cleary kick – a play which has worked wonders all season – who put the result beyond all doubt before the foot came off the Cowboys' throat.

"Our confidence is pretty high," Ivan Cleary said post-match.

[We've] given ourselves a really good chance leading into the finals - having that first game at home and being in the top four.

Ivan Cleary

"That's based on the whole year. Once finals come it's different and it's a new competition but what we've done is forged some belief in ourselves and given ourselves a really good chance leading into the finals - having that first game at home and being in the top four.

"But it's a new comp and we will treat it that way."

The scintillating first 40 minutes was yet another sign Penrith will be there when the whips are cracking alongside the Roosters and Storm come October. As if that was still in question.

They were without captain James Tamou and star recruit Api Koroisau on Friday night. You would be forgiven for not noticing.

As integral as that pair are to Penrith's success, the well-oiled machine did not splutter one bit prior to the second half – when the result was already beyond doubt.

Their pack still won every physical contest that mattered, Nathan Cleary still produced the form which has some pundits declaring him the best player in the competition, his halves partner Luai was still brimming with confidence and their outside backs remain downright dangerous every time they touch the football.

Crichton is on the cusp of a NSW Origin squad, To'o won't be far behind, Dylan Edwards racks up metres for fun and Mansour is back to his confident, crisp best this year.

How far they can go in October is anyone's guess. But only a very brave punter would back against this team right now.

Their defence is borderline unbreakable when it really counts. Perhaps that is because they squeeze the life out of their opposition with sheer weight of possession.

They complete sets, win the wrestle inside the opposition's half and keep peppering the goal line until they spot a crack. When that crack appears, their backs strike. An opportunity rarely goes begging.

The left edge, in particular, continues to fire.

Kikau is a one-man wrecking ball and Crichton has to be the most exciting young outside back in the NRL. No one is better in the air.

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The only concern for coach Cleary was Kikau being placed on report for a high shot on Valentine Holmes.

The star forward has 50 carry-over points in the locker and may miss next week's clash with the Bulldogs as a result.

He should be available for the first home final at the foot of the mountains in a decade – where they will almost certainly meet Parramatta.

The Eels are the last team to beat the Panthers but that seems like a lifetime ago.

Perhaps this Panthers team is the team of a lifetime, too.