Panthers flew out to a 24-0 lead in the space of half an hour and consolidated their lead across the remainder of Saturday evening's qualifying semi-final to win 40-18 at Carrington Park.

So strong was the hosts' start to the match that captain-coach Doug Hewitt deemed it to be one of the strongest halves of football the club has played in recent years.

"It's probably the best half we've had since I've been at the helm," he said.

"We just had the intensity, everything was right and everyone was pumped up. The first 15 to 20 minutes haven't felt that good in the past two years. There was a great feeling amongst the boys.

"In our first two sets we put everything into it and got the ball down there. I think it put them in their place fairly quick but Mudgee put up a fair fight. We may have shocked them a bit with how hard we came at them."

It took just three minutes for the Panthers to open the scoring in what would be an amazing half of rugby league for the team.

Blake Lawson has been in fine try-scoring form in the crucial part of the season and he added another to his name to get the Panthers off to a strong start.

Josh Rivett, Mackenzie Atkins and Jack Siejka sent the Dragons several more steps backwards when they all scored in a devastating seven minute window.

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Along with contributions from the boot of Willie Wright, Panthers looked set to go into half-time up 24-0.

Dragons gave themselves a much needed boost when Corin Smith crossed the stripe with just over three minutes to go until the break.

Todd Munn's try for the Dragons made it 24-8 and, while his side still had work to do, it would be a test of the Panthers' resolve in the face of an early thorn in their side.

Lawson's second try of the day ensured the Dragons wouldn't steal away momentum.

Chanse Burgess kept the visitors in range with the team's second try of the half, although a huge double blow from the Panthers was about to put the result beyond doubt.

Wright found space and sprinted to the left corner to score and Louis Murphy scored under the posts just three minutes later to make it 40-14.

Dragons picked up a consolation try but the red and whites will now prepare for a sudden death meeting with elimination semi-final winners Lithgow Workies.

It's the third win for Panthers this season against the Dragons but it was by far the most comfortable margin of victory for the Bathurst men.

Hewitt is hopeful the attacking intensity will continue through the finals serie.

"There were little things we haven't been doing right which we got right. Our kick chases have been good without being great but that stepped up a massive notch," Hewitt said.

"After that opening 15 minutes you could look across the path and see everyone was putting in the same levels of effort."

Meanwhile, Panthers go into a game against minor premiers Orange Hawks with plenty of confidence.

The winner will earn hosting right for the grand final.

"It's massive. We're really looking forward to it. It would be great to get it done next week," Hewitt said.

"I'm sure we'd get a great crowd at a grand final if you earned it but we're not too worried about that at the moment. It's still game by game, and hopefully we can give Hawks a good run."