South Sydney players might just wake up on Sunday wondering whether they have blown their best shot at winning an NRL premiership.
Saturday night's meeting with Penrith was the Rabbitohs' fifth preliminary final in a row, but despite their continued ability to go deep into September, their wait for a title continues.
Up 12-0 with 36 minutes gone in the first half at Sydney's Accor Stadium, Souths were in control of their own destiny and Penrith were there to be beaten.
A grand final meeting with Parramatta, who Souths have beaten in their last six games, was beckoning.
By fulltime they were down to 12 men - winger Taane Milne dismissed for a high shot on Spencer Leniu in the second half - and had lost 32-12.
It will undoubtedly feel like an opportunity missed for the Bunnies, who rode their luck to take an unlikely first-half lead.
Milne had got away with a couple of howlers under Nathan Cleary's high bombs and Penrith duo Izack Tago and Charlie Staines both had tries chalked off.
Cody Walker scored the Rabbitohs' opener after diving on a fortuitous ball that landed in the in-goal, and seven minutes later winger Richie Kennar - filling in for Alex Johnston - touched down in the corner .
Penrith had the upper hand in territory and possession but had nothing to show for it.
With halftime approaching, Souths may regret not attempting a field goal to turn it into a three-score game.
After a rapid play-the-ball from Viliame Kikau, Penrith hooker Api Koroisau ran straight up the middle to get the Panthers on the board five minutes before the break.
And instead of looking to protect their lead just before the interval Souths pushed the envelope.
With 15 seconds to go Latrell Mitchell sent an ugly pass the way of centre Campbell Graham who knocked on into the hands of Penrith winger Brian To'o.
To'o ran 80 metres to score, and with Cleary converting it was 12-12 at halftime.
Souths' dominance on the scoreboard had been snatched from under their nose and from there they never looked like regaining the ascendancy.
Their defence, which made all but eight tackles in the first half, had 21 misses after the break and Penrith were happy to expose their frailties.
Cleary caught Mitchell defending in the line just after halftime, with Leniu diving on his kick. Tago powered over 10 minutes later as Penrith went through the gears.
After Milne was sent off, the Panthers took their foot off the gas but Cleary was able to add a final try to leave Souths ruing another missed opportunity.
