Tim Sheens men won three elimination finals to reach the big game while Penrith had to play just one finals fixture under the final-five format that gave a huge boost to the minor premiers.
In the first 40 minutes of a match refereed by Bill Harrigan at the Sydney Football Stadium, Canberra looked the goods despite conceding the first try.
Simmons started his spectacular day by bullocking his way over from 10 metres out. The fact he was able to shrug off Glenn Lazarus makes his four-pointer all the more impressive.
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