The Cowboys have used a late try from Kyle Feldt to outlast the Panthers 23-18 at Pepper Stadium. The Panthers grabbed an early lead in the second half, with a try from Trent Merrin giving them a 16-12 lead, before a Jamie Soward penalty goal took the lead out to six.
That would do it for the Panthers though, as the Cowboys got a try from Gavin Cooper to tie the game, before Lachlan Coote sunk a field goal to put them ahead with 7 minutes remaining.
Jamie Soward missed a tying attempt with two minutes remaining, and the Cowboys scored the sealing try off the ensuing set.
Final score
Panthers 18
Cowboys 23
The Penrith Panthers played their ‘get out of jail free’ card last weekend, but they’ll need an even better performance this weekend against the North Queensland Cowboys. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:30pm.
It really was the great escape last weekend for the Panthers, as they scored two tries in the last four minutes, including Bryce Cartwright’s siren-beater on the last play of the game. They were helped by a bunker overturn towards the end of that match, but it’s hard to take any kind of credit away from them. Bryce Cartwright was the Panthers’ best in that game with 154 metres and two line breaks.
The Cowboys had a big win last week, downing the Dragons 36-0 in Townsville. It was close for much of the first half, but four second-half tries saw North Queensland race away. Ethan Lowe and Gavin Cooper performed well in that match, and will look to continue that form into this dangerous clash.
The Panthers have named an unchanged 17, but Suaia Matagi and Elijah Taylor have both been added to an extended bench. Matt Moylan will captain the side, while Peter Wallace will remain at hooker with Te Maire Martin keeping his spot in the halves. Elijah Taylor and Jeremy Latimore would be the two expected to drop off the bench.
The Cowboys have a habit of naming unchanged sides, and that’s exactly what they are for this weekend. Kane Linnett still isn’t right to return, so Javid Bowen retains his spot in the centres.
The Cowboys will start as warm favourites in this clash, and a look at the team sheets would suggest a gulf in class between the two sides. The halves pairing in particular looks to be a lopsided battle. However, if the Panthers’ halves can play out a draw, they could lead their team to an upset victory.
Prediction
I’m not brave enough to tip against the premiers, although I think this will stay close.
Cowboys by 8
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The RiffMarn Stew Moses
Roar Guru
As much as it pains me Lachlan Coote was MOTM tonight - 2 try assists (+1 for Penrith lol) + the all important FG but two try savers on Josh Mansour - no mean feat on the NRL's number one winger atm
Scott Pryde
Expert
Didn't watch it but sounds like it was an excellent match. Cowboys confirming they are going to be going deep into the finals again, and the Panthers seem to be playing good quality footy.
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
Wow no Coote?
Joe
Roar Rookie
Good win by the cowboys. They just have an added confidence in their abilities this year. Doesn't matter what the score is they just continue to play their game. Tamalolo must be one of the best attacking forwards in the comp.
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
MVP VOTING 3. Jason Taumalolo 2. Jake Granville 1. Trent Merrin
Dingobob
Guest
Panthers are definately a top 8 side but the Cowboys were that bit better tonight.
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
FULL TIME The Cowboys have used a late try from Kyle Feldt to outlast the Panthers 23-18 at Pepper Stadium. The Panthers grabbed an early lead in the second half, with a try from Trent Merrin giving them a 16-12 lead, before a Jamie Soward penalty goal took the lead out to six. That would do it for the Panthers though, as the Cowboys got a try from Gavin Cooper to tie the game, before Lachlan Coote sunk a field goal to put them ahead with 7 minutes remaining. Jamie Soward missed a tying attempt with two minutes remaining, and the Cowboys scored the sealing try off the ensuing set. Thanks for joining The Roar for this clash.
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
CONVERSION UNSUCCESSFUL Panthers 18 Cowboys 23 FULL TIME
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
TRY COWBOYS 79' That'll do it!! Morgan sends O'Neill into a massive gap, and he sends Feldt over!! Panthers 18 Cowboys 23
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
77' Hiku comes dancing across the line, buit he's taken by Thurston. Last play now, and Soward has a go from 45, but he's missed to the right!! They may get one more set. Panthers 18 Cowboys 19
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
76' Just over three to go, and the Cooper is taken just inside his own half. Scott now takes a charge, before Thurston puts it high. DWZ takes this one, and the Panthers need to go 80 metres. Panthers 18 Cowboys 19
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
76' Pretty hard to say that the Cowboys were onside on that play. They got up to Soward very quickly.
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
75' Cartwright and Moylan combine through the middle, before Mansour gets it inside the 40. Now they come to the right, where Fisher-Harris charges inside the 20. Soward is in position, and he'll run it on the last play. They have numbers to the left, but the last pass from Hiku to Mansour is a bit late, and he'll be forced into touch!! Great defence from the 'Boys!! Lachlan Coote has stayed down. Panthers 18 Cowboys 19
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
74' Can the Panthers pull off another comeback? They'll have to stop the Cowboys first, as Tamou has them to halfway. Lowe now is hit well by Soward, before being finished off by McKendry. Granville comes out of dummy half, and he's stopped at the 30. Thurston puts a little kick through, and Moylan has this one on the fly. Mansour is running away from his line, and he's got it outside the 30! What a run!! Panthers 18 Cowboys 19
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
The difference between 'loose carry' and 'strip' is one of the hardest to adjudicate I reckon. Impossible to tell half the time.
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
FIELD GOAL COWBOYS 72' Jason Taumalolo brings the football back with interest, and now Tamou follows up with a strong run. They come to the left side, where Scott finds Coote on the outside. He almost goes through, but Merrin finishes him off. Scott has a go at the line, but he's stopped short. Right side raid, and Thurston has space. He has a go himself, and Latu stops him. Last tackle, and Granville will go all the way back to Coote. He'll have a shot at the field goal, and he's got it!! Panthers 18 Cowboys 19
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Im not a fan of that rule. Attacking players about to be held up will just release the ball on purpose to force a drop out
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
NO TRY COWBOYS 72' The ruling is a strip, with a subsequent grounding from Te Maire Martin. Line drop out. Panthers 18 Cowboys 18
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
VIDEO REF COWBOYS 71' Granville goes from dummy-half and he's looking dangerous. Now there's space to the right, but JT can't take advantage. Coote puts a short ball to Taumalolo, and he's over the line!!! It's going upstairs as a no try. Panthers 18 Cowboys 18
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
70' Latu copped a stray arm from Thurston. He's lucky it wasn't high to be honest. Soward kicks downfield, and Coote gets there on the fly. Winterstein brings it back, and he's hit hard!! He put a good lick on DWZ in the previous set, so there's a bit of payback. Panthers 18 Cowboys 18