Still, four-time premiership winner Mortimer believed the Bulldogs' halves were ones who had to improve if they were to keep their premiership dream alive.
"The forwards are playing great football and the defence is 90 per cent there but it's up to the five-eighths and the halfback to lift," Mortimer said. "Together [Trent and Josh] have to combine to spark something, to be the catalyst. I want to see them take on the line more.
"I want them to look at where the numbers are on the field and capitalise on that - create a two-on-one situation, it's as simple as that."
Both Hodkinson and Reynolds suffered a post-State of Origin hangover of sorts after helping to inspire NSW's drought-breaking series win in 2014.
As a result, Canterbury fell over the finals line in seventh place but appear to be thriving under the finals pressure.
Mortimer was still buzzing from the Bulldogs' stunning 28-4 elimination final win over the Storm in Melbourne. However, he was still worried about the Bulldogs' mindset after they lost four of their last six games leading in the finals.
"The thing that worries me is how are the Bulldogs going to turn up [Saturday night]," he said. "Penrith go toe to toe, you've got to be smart.
"The way Ivan Cleary has got Penrith they believe in each other, there is a confidence there.
"We saw it against the Roosters, they are not going to be intimidated."
Mortimer's nerves were settled somewhat by Hodkinson's announcement yesterday that he was a certain starter.
Hodkinson will require post-season surgery on his left knee and had been battling with the complaint but ran strongly in yesterday's captain's run.
"The knee is all right," Hodkinson said. "It was a bit sore earlier in the week but it's come on in leaps and bounds since then."
Meanwhile, James Segeyaro has never played in an NRL preliminary final but at least the Penrith Panthers don't need to worry about their star hooker keeping things in perspective.
At 23-years-of-age, Segeyaro has lost a lot. His father passed away last month, and last year Segeyaro farewelled one of his best friends to suicide.
He will have both on his mind when he runs out on to ANZ Stadium tonight to lead the Panthers.
Ultra competitive on the field, he's mature beyond his years off it. Segeyaro has gone from impact dummy-half off the bench to 80-minute game-breaker this season, and his ability to make yards up the middle of the field and strike from close-range has seen him emerge as one of the NRL's most exciting talents.
- AAP
