Roar Guru
Monday’s feast of NRL action concludes with what should be a tight affair between the Penrith Panthers and North Queensland Cowboys. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:00pm (AEDT).
Down 16-4 at one stage, the Cowboys seemed destined to start the season with a 0-4 record but star halfback Johnathan Thurston nailed two field goals late in the contest to secure the Cowboys their first win of season 2015.
After a very poor start to the season given the expectations, the Cowboys finally have the win on the board that could springboard them to the top eight.
The Panthers are coming off back-to-back defeats to the Roosters and Knights.
They have missed the composure and class of Jamie Soward in the halves and he remains sidelined for tonight’s clash. Former Cowboy James Segeyaro however comes into Penrith’s line-up after missing the defeat to Newcastle. His inclusion will bolster the Panther’s attack significantly.
The Cowboys have performed poorly in the first half of three out of four matches so far this season. While they managed to get out of a deep hole against Melbourne, a similar start against the Panthers away from home will result in defeat.
The Cowboys will have to keep an eye on Matt Moylan. The young star is yet to replicate the form of last year and will be eyeing tonight’s match as an opportunity to impress Origin selectors with a dominant performance over Thurston.
Former Panther Lachlan Coote faces his old club for the first time since joining the Cowboys and he may end up becoming a key factor in this contest.
The Panthers start deserved favourites at home, but the Cowboys thrive on momentum and the win against Melbourne may finally kick-start the season of a side many expect to feature in the finals.
Cowboys by 4.
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