The National Rugby League's top five teams all took two points from this weekend's round of matches to open a gap over the rest of the competition.
Leaders Brisbane stayed a point ahead of Newcastle, who had the bye, while wins yesterday to the Bulldogs, the Warriors and Parramatta kept their
campaigns on track.
The Bulldogs stayed in third spot after they pipped bottom-placed Penrith 25-22, thanks to a try in the dying seconds to standoff Braith Anasta.
The Bulldogs led 18-6 midway through the second half and looked to have the match under control.
The Panthers hit back with three tries to go in front with nine minutes left, but they were unable to hold out as the Bulldogs mounted a series of attacks.
Penrith, with eight successive losses, have now equalled the worst start to a season for any club over the past 33 years.
Parramatta ran in five tries to one for a 36-6 result over a depleted Sharks outfit, with fullback Brett Hodgson, who was named last night in the New South Wales State of Origin side, grabbing 24 points.
St George Illawarra halfback Willie Peters landed a field goal after the hooter to give the Dragons a 21-21 draw against fellow strugglers Canberra.
Earlier, Dragons hooker Mark Riddell was sent off for a high tackle in his first game back after suspension.
The Brisbane Broncos ran in nine tries to overwhelm the Northern Eagles 50-12, with winger Lote Tuqiri grabbing a hat-trick on his way to breaking his club's oldest record.
Tuqiri also kicked seven goals for a personal haul of 26 points, beating Terry Matterson's 24 points in the Broncos' debut premiership match in 1988.
The Sydney Roosters stayed in the top eight with a 34-6 win over Melbourne, and North Queensland's improvement continued with a 40-16 win over Wests Tigers.
