Panthers keep dream of five alive with gritty NRL elimination final win over Warriors

• Penrith defeat New Zealanders 24-8 to set up semi-final with Bulldogs

• Sharks host Roosters in second cut-throat finals clash at Shark Park

Penrith's quest for a fifth consecutive premiership is alive and kicking after Nathan Cleary ignited a gritty 24-8 win that ends the Warriors' NRL season.

The talismanic halfback hoisted the Panthers back into Saturday's elimination final after a spirited start from a Warriors side roundly dismissed as finals cannon fodder.