Nathan Cleary magic carries Panthers to third-straight win in all-time thriller

A single moment of Nathan Cleary magic has proven the difference as the Panthers held off the Bulldogs in an all-time thriller at CommBank Stadium.

The Bulldogs had the better of the four-time premiers for much of the clash, but some stoic Panthers defence and a crucial Bulldogs error on the death were enough to get the men in black over the line.

The 8-6 victory is the lowest winning margin of the season, and gives the Panthers their third straight win and cements their spot in the top eight.

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The Bulldogs went into the break with a 6-2 lead, but the match-winner game mid-way through the second half when Cleary charged down a Matt Burton kick.

The bounce was fortuitous, and the Panthers' star halfback was easily able to gather the ball and score under the sticks. The conversion gave the final 8-6 score.

But the drama wasn't over. In the dying minutes, Brian To'o was put on report for a high shot on Bronson Xerri that gave the Bulldogs a penalty inside the Panthers' 30m line with two minutes left on the clock.

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But instead of kicking for goal, the Bulldogs elected go on the attack – a call which ultimately proved wrong with the Panthers got the ball back on the first play when Blaize Talagi knocked down a pass.

The Bulldogs got their last bite of the cherry with less than a minute to go. They managed to find themselves inside their attacking 20 on the last play, and had the chance to win it at the death when Stephen Crichton, with Marcelo Montoya wide open, threw the pass into touch.

The home fans exploded, and Crichton's head dropped into his hands.

"A game we will never forget," Nine caller Mat Thompson quipped.

"They're not giving up the trophy without a fight ... one of the most compelling games of the year."

Speaking to Jonathan Thurston on Nine post-game, Isaah Yeo said the clash had a semi-final feel about it.

"We've sort of been building towards a performance like that, I reckon the last month," he said.

"They've been the benchmark of the competition, and we match up really well with one another. We both want to play the same style, and we knew it was going to be a grind. It was a hell of a game.

"We showed resilience that we haven't shown consistently enough throughout the season. I'm really proud."

The Panthers went ahead with a penalty goal just before the half-hour mark, before Jacob Preston put the Bulldogs in front minutes later.

Bulldogs fullback Connor Tracey showed his Origin credentials with two certain try-saving tackles on Blaize Talagi.

At the break, Cameron Smith in commentary for Nine suggested it was the best 40 minutes of football this season.

The second half was much the same. The Bulldogs had much of the early field position and possession before the Cleary try flipped the contest on its head.

The win has the Panthers lying sixth on the ladder, while the Bulldogs remain on top with the Raiders yet to play.