Panthers overcame cross-city rivals St Pat's 28-10 to book a ticket to Carrington Park alongside their premier league and under 18s squads for the last day of the season.

Victory also makes the Panthers first division men the only grand final-bound side to have finished the regular season outside the top three.

Panthers put on an 18-point run either side of half-time to keep their distance ahead of the defending champion Saints.

Defeat saw Pat's came up short in their own bid to have three teams featured on grand final day.

The road to the grand final has been a tough one for the Panthers who have had to overcome Orange Hawks, Mudgee Dragons and Pat's on their way to the decider.

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The signs of a Panthers resurgence were there in the back half of the season when their combinations began to click and the team began to operate well as a unit.

Gaining revenge over the Saints for last year's grand final defeat was perfect way for Panthers to set up a date with the unbeaten Lithgow Workies in Sunday's big one.

Panthers coach Darrin Fardell said the team fought hard for every point in their preliminary final triumph.

"They're really happy with the way things are going but we're still one win away from what we want to achieve," he said.

"They played smart football, they completed and played where they needed to play.

"Our guys backed themselves in. We went in at half-time up and we spoke to them about not playing in the second half trying to protect a lead. It was about trying to score more points, which they did.

"Our defence was great. Everything they threw at us they were able to take it on the chin and just keep going on with the job."

Sunday's derby got off to a close start when Max Gay's converted try for Panthers was quickly followed up by a try to the Saints' Alex Knight to make it 6-4.

Panthers started to take control in the run towards half-time and found two tries in quick succession to take an 18-4 lead into the break.

Gay completed his brace with the first of those efforts while Trent Guihot also got his name on the score sheet.

Callum Young kept the good times coming for the Panthers with his try shortly after the resumption of the match.

With the Panthers within a try of virtually icing the game Pat's needed a response and it came through James Scott's converted try.

However, Marcus Turnbull kept the Panthers in the driver's seat with his try and his side maintained their defensive energy throughout the half to knock their rivals out of the competition.

Panthers will be chasing a major upset when they host Lithgow Workies.