Penrith Panthers have out-muscled Brisbane Broncos 15-4 in their top-of-the-table clash at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday night.
The defending premiers looked in control throughout the contest, taking an 8-0 lead into halftime courtesy of a Sunia Turuva try, before closing out a third-straight win.
The Panthers' margin of victory probably should have been greater, with two clear-cut tries blown by handling errors in the final motion.
The result lifts the Panthers to the top of the ladder on points differential, as they chase a third straight NRL premiership.
Star Penrith half Nathan Cleary became the youngest player in NRL history to score 1300 points, when he converted his own second-half try, after darting over from close range to give his side a 14-0 lead.
With just over 20 minutes to play, outstanding Broncos fullback Reece Walsh gave his side some hope, with the ex-Warriors star laying on a pinpoint crossfield kick for Selwyn Cobbo to latch onto for his 18th try at home in as many games.
But the Broncos' clearly missed injured general Adam Reynolds, as last-tackle plays continually let them down.
Cleary stepped up to put the icing on the cake with a field goal in the dying seconds, rounding out a superb night.
The Panthers' back three were also exceptional, with fullback Dylan Edwards running for a game-high 275 metres.
"We left a couple of tries out there," said Panthers coach Ivan Cleary after the game.
"We dominated field position and possession in the second half. We didn't have the polish tonight but I thought we did a decent job.
"The last three weeks [it's started to come together]."
The Panthers now - with State of Origin approaching - have a timely bye week, while the Broncos will head to Napier to take on NZ Warriors.
Penrith Panthers 15 (Turuva, Cleary tries, Cleary 2 cons, pen, field goal) Brisbane Broncos 4 (Cobbo try)
