The Panthers are through to a fourth straight grand final after a thumping 38-4 win sent the Storm packing in a fiery preliminary final.
The back-to-back premiers seized control midway through the first half and never looked like relinquishing it.
So who were the studs and who were the duds? Wide World of Sports runs the rule over all 34 players who took the field to give fearless player ratings.
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Penrith Panthers
1. Dylan Edwards
Ran the ball back superbly – as always – had a hand in two tries and scored one himself.
Rating: 8.5
2. Sunia Turuva
Scored a try, had a hand in another and got the Panthers out of trouble when in possession near their own tryline.
Rating: 8
3. Izack Tago
Let in an early try but then set up two for To'o and made one of the game's biggest plays by getting out of his own in-goal.
Rating: 7.5
4. Stephen Crichton
Didn't see a lot of clean ball but created a second half try with his clever hands.
Rating: 6
5. Brian To'o
The game's most dangerous finisher put the Panthers on track for the grand final with the opening two tries – then completed his hat trick in the second half.
Rating: 9
6. Jarome Luai
Eased his way back into the heavy contact after dislocating his shoulder last month – wasn't his usual dominant self but will have gained confidence for next week.
Rating: 6
7. Nathan Cleary
A halfback masterclass – was involved in almost every Panthers try, scored one himself, plucked a vital intercept and kicked impeccably.
Rating: 10
8. Moses Leota
Ran like a steam train, proving the perfect foil for Fisher-Harris up front.
Rating: 7
9. Mitch Kenny
Didn't run much – because he didn't need to. Gave good service from dummyhalf and topped the tackle count.
Rating: 6
10. James Fisher-Harris
The most effective forward on the field in the opening 20 minutes, putting the Panthers pack on the front foot.
Rating: 8.5
11. Scott Sorensen
The quiet achiever of the Panthers pack, making plenty of yardage and holding up his edge in defence.
Rating: 7
12. Liam Martin
Strong on his edge, making the break for Cleary's try and producing some big hits in defence.
Rating: 7.5
13. Isaah Yeo
Played his role of link man between the forwards and the backs to perfection and ran for nearly 200 metres.
Rating: 8
14. Jack Cogger
Got little game time but still managed to come up with a line break.
Rating: 5
15. Lindsay Smith
Not as effective as in previous games off the bench but didn't let the team down.
Rating: 6
16. Spencer Leniu
Never really stamped his authority on the game – but will do more next week.
Rating: 6
17. Luke Garner
Another bench player to have little impact for the Panthers – the starting 13 destroyed the Storm and he had not much to do.
Rating: 5
Melbourne Storm
1. Nick Meaney
A tidy game at the back in a well beaten side and threw the pass for the Storm's lone try.
Rating: 7
2. William Warbrick
Finished a great debut season by topping the Storm's yardage but got few chances near the tryline.
Rating: 7
3. Marion Seve
Showed he is not quite up to this level, making several simple mistakes.
Rating: 3.5
4. Justin Olam
Justified his recent recall by scoring the Storm's only try, putting a smart move on Tago.
Rating: 7
5. Reimis Smith
Saw little ball, running for just 55 metres – a poor haul for a winger in any game.
Rating: 4
6. Cameron Munster
Set up his team's lone try, but then was poor, missing Liam Martin badly in one Panthers try. Tripped over his own feet at one stage, summing up his night.
Rating: 5.5
7. Jahrome Hughes
Didn't look 100 per cent fit after missing last week and didn't play with his usual composure and impact.
Rating: 6
8. Tui Kamikamica
Made just nine runs for 66 metres as the Storm were over-powered up front.
Rating: 5
19. Bronson Garlick
Started the game at hooker but couldn't get the Storm forwards on the front foot from dummyhalf.
Rating: 4
16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona
Tried to be the tough guy but added little in go-forward and gave away two silly penalties.
Rating: 4
11. Trent Loiero
The Storm bombed several tries, with his shocking pass to an unmarked Olam the worst. Out of his depth.
Rating: 3.5
12. Eliesa Katoa
Had a great season but will want to forget this game – was barely sighted in attack. Worked hard in defence though, topping the count.
Rating: 4.5
13. Josh King
Busy in the middle without causing the well drilled Panthers defence any real problems.
Rating: 5
9. Harry Grant
His running game was neutralised by the Penrith defensive wall and he couldn't do his usual damage from dummyhalf.
Rating: 5
10. Christian Welch
Tried valiantly to lift his fellow forwards but they could offer little against the Penrith juggernaut.
Rating: 5
15. Tom Eisenhuth
Another Storm forward well out-classed by his opponents, making a mere six runs for 37 metres.
Rating: 3.5
17. Tariq Sims
Never really got into the contest in his 33 minutes off the bench. Game was won and lost by the time he appeared.
Rating: 4
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