The Cowboys and Panthers could not be split after 90 thrilling minutes of football, finishing locked up at 30-all after both teams missed their chances to win the game in golden point extra time.
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MATCH CENTRE: Cowboys vs Panthers, stats, scores, blog
Ivan Cleary blowing up after a controversial missed off-side proved crucial, which could have resulted in a match winning penalty goal in regulation.
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John Bateman appeared to catch a ball that bounced off Scott Drinkwater’s foot in an off-side position, but the referee ruled play on.
A miraculous Scott Drinkwater charge-down on a Nathan Cleary field goal attempt kept the Cowboys’ hopes alive before Jake Clifford had a chance to win it at the death – but his field goal attempt sailed wide.
The Panthers had been cruising to their fourth win of the season, leading by two converted tries with 10 minutes to play when the Cowboys continued this round’s incredible trend of comebacks.
A brilliant late offload from Jaxon Purdue put Scott Drinkwater into the backfield and the Cowboys fullback found his skipper Tom Dearden in support to score the match-levelling try with just minutes to play.
Panthers five-eighth Blaize Talagi had put on an attacking masterclass with a try and four try assists, but it wasn’t enough as North Queensland refused to roll over.
The Panthers starved North Queensland of possession with clean and accurate football, but potent attack kept the Cowboys in touch with some spectacular tries against the run of play.
Penrith threatened to blow the game open early, taking an 18-6 lead after half an hour and Todd Payten must have been thanking his lucky stars to only be six points behind at the break after his side displayed shocking discipline defending its own line.
A forgettable night for Derby got even worse with 15 minutes to play when he coughed up possession in his own in-goal – his fifth error of the game – to allow Talagi to score what seemed like the match-sealing try before the incredible comeback.
BLAIZING SADDLES
Panthers halves Nathan Cleary and Blaize Talagi were at their best and this game was one of their most cohesive alongside first-choice spine members Dylan Edwards and Mitch Kenny.
Penrith’s attack has improved week on week after a sluggish start to the season and 20-year-old Talagi is finding his feet in the new system, setting up all three of his side’s tries in the first half.
Salmon’s “WEAK GUTTED DOG” celebration | 00:26
DEFENDING ERRORS
Defending your errors is a simple philosophy in rugby league: after making a mistake, you scrap and fight to make up for it with your defence and you make sure your opponents don’t make you pay.
But it was an area of the Cowboys’ game that cost them dearly on Saturday with Penrith’s first two tries coming directly from errors made by North Queensland deep in its own half.
Penrith’s third try – a sublime finish by Garner after an even better Talagi grubber – wasn’t scored immediately after an error, but the Panthers were camped in good territory after Rob Derby spilt the ball.
The Cowboys need to limit the time spent defending their line and they need to be more disciplined when they do it.
MACKAY’S NEXT MAROON?
There’s been plenty of speculation around whether Valentine Holmes or Dane Gagai will get the nod in the centres for Queensland, but is it so far out of the realm of possibility to select some fresh blood in Jaxon Purdue?
The 19-year-old North Queenslander brought the crowd of 19,324 to its feet early in the second half when he burst into the backfield with his speed, but it was his terrific ballplaying on the next tackle to set up Jake Clifford’s try that should really have everyone’s attention.
A late offload to create the space for the Cowboys’ fifth try in late stages of the game was further evidence of the youngster’s match-breaking ability.
A Maroons call-up is a matter of when not if for Purdue, and he could find himself getting his first taste of an Origin camp sooner than some think.
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MATCH PREVIEW
Tom Dearden and the North Queensland Cowboys host Nathan Cleary and the Penrith Panthers in a blockbuster clash at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
For the Cowboys Kai O’Donnell comes onto the bench with Coen Hess starting for Jason Taumalolo, who was ruled out, while the Panthers are 1-17.
One forced change for the Cowboys, and it’s a big one. Skipper Reuben Cotter will miss two games after copping a ban for a high shot. The in-form Sam McIntyre moves into jersey No. 13. McIntyre is as versatile as they come, and won’t look out of place as a ball-playing lock forward. With Cotter dropping out, barnstorming prop Tom Mikaele gets an overdue opportunity. He will add plenty of punch to a Cowboys forward pack which has been inconsistent this season.
The cavalry has arrived for Penrith, who found their best form in a win over Brisbane during Magic Round. Star winger Brian To’o is available after missing over a month of football with a hamstring injury. In addition, key spine member Mitch Kenny returns and has been named in the No. 9 jersey while Brad Schneider will wear jersey No. 14 in his first game back from an eye injury. That means Trent Toelau will drop out of the side as will hooker Luke Sommerton. To’o will start on the left wing, with Thomas Jenkins dropping to the interchange bench in what shapes as a peculiar decision from Ivan Cleary. The 24-year-old has only ever played on the wing, in the centres and has featured once at fullback at NRL level, with two appearances off the bench in reserve grade. Jenkins has been impressive on return for the Panthers, climbing his way up the backline pecking order and leapfrogging the likes of Casey McLean and Jesse McLean. Penrith officials were of the belief Jenkins was the best NSW Cup player early in the season, and as such he was awarded an opportunity to return to first grade. He took it with both hands in a solid display at fullback against the Storm, but appearing on the bench and potentially playing in the middle of the park shapes as a tough ask for the outside back. Jenkins inclusion could also hint that Brian To’o will have to pass fitness tests to take the field in Round 10. Elsewhere, Schneider’s inclusion as the bench utility shapes as an interesting call with Toelau having started at hooker in a big win over the Broncos. Toelau arguably is a better option at dummy-half, whereas Schneider is more adept in the halves which may have been the deciding factor for Cleary. Meanwhile, Luke Sommerton was also dropped to 18th man after a handful of solid performances in Kenny’s absence. Unfortunately for the rising hooker, Penrith’s reliable No.9 consistently plays 80 minutes and therefore there is no need to pick a second hooker on the pine.
TEAMS
Cowboys team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Robert Derby 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Jake Clifford 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 17. Coen Hess 11. John Bateman 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Sam McIntyre 14. Harrison Edwards 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. Griffin Neame 22. Kai O’Donnell. 18th man: 18. Zac Laybutt
Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Paul Alamoti 3. Izack Tago 4. Luke Garner 5. Brian To’o 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Brad Schneider 15. Liam Henry 16. Luron Patea 17. Thomas Jenkins. 18th man: 18. Luke Sommerton
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