Penrith, Melbourne into National Rugby League semis

SYDNEY, Oct 3, (AP): The Penrith Panthers are one win away from their first National Rugby League grand final in 17 years after three first-half tries from Nathan Cleary gave them a 29-28 win over the two-time defending champion Sydney Roosters.

Cleary scored 21 points, including a clutch 78th-minute field goal that proved the difference. The win advances the Panthers, who finished in first place during the regular season, to a semifinal in two weeks.

Under the NRL’s second-chance playoff format for the top four teams, the fourth-place Roosters will play the Canberra Raiders in a 2019 grand final rematch in the second round. The Raiders beat the Cronulla Sharks 32-20 on Saturday.

Second-place Melbourne overcame an early 12-0 deficit to also advance directly to the semifinals with a 36-24 win over the third-place Parramatta Eels.

On Sunday, Newcastle plays the South Sydney Rabbitohs. The winner of that elimination match takes on Parramatta in the second round next weekend.