In a great advertisement for Rugby League, the Penrith Panthers have held off the North Queensland Cowboys at Pepper Stadium.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
Penrith Panthers 24
North Queensland Cowboys 16
The Penrith Panthers and the North Queensland Cowboys will be, realistically, playing for spots in the lower half of the eight at Peppers Stadium, in a game that promises points and a close score line. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:30pm (AEST).
Having won nine of their last eleven, the Panthers surge into this game with momentum and form. While not capitulating after the loss of captain and spiritual leader, Johnathan Thurston, the Cowboys never look the same without him and appear to be limping home as the semi-finals approach.
That’s not to say the Cowboys can’t pull off an upset. Penrith haven’t beaten the elite teams in recent weeks and the Cowboys have been far from poor.
The Panthers have only faced one top-eight team in the last six weeks in a close win against the Eagles, in fact prior to that, the previous top eight club they faced was the Cowboys themselves, when the North Queenslanders snuck home 14-12 in round 16.
The Cowboys come off two losses, however defeats at the hands of the clubs who sit one – two on the premiership ladder is no disgrace. Prior to those matches their form was solid against the Rabbitohs and the Warriors.
The Panthers have named an unchanged team and hold faint hopes of a Matt Moylan return. The Cowboys have lost Gavin Cooper and Antonio Winterstein which forces a slight reshuffle and sees Ben Hampton come onto the interchange bench.
Prediction
This could be a shootout at the foot of the mountains. The Panthers recent wins haven’t been against top-class opposition and the Cowboys have done nothing wrong. In a high scoring upset, the Cowboys will edge the Panthers by 6.
Catch all the action on The Roar live coverage from 7:30pm (AEST).
Matt
Guest
.. hmmm so it should been a line drop out instead of being handed the ball 5 metres out. Not sure how that helps change the result any.
casper
Guest
Anyone remember theCowboys tackling a Panthers player in goal, though because he had his hand stretched out with the ball in it in the air over the line, the ref was right there, points at the ball in the air over the line and allows the Panthers player to play the ball in the field of play. Now from my understanding is that if nothing is touching the ground inside the field of play how can the ball be determined in the field of play? Is that ref nuts? don't they understand these concepts? In American football you only have to get the ball over the line to score, it dose not need to be "grounded". Now from what I remember, I wasn't watching Dallas Cowboys, vs Carolina Panthers Saturday night at the pub ...
up in the north
Roar Rookie
And if my aunty had balls she'd be my uncle. Fact: cowbies have been decimated by injuries this year and arguably last year. Fact: cowbies have played this season like their lives depended on it. You can't buy that stuff. Fact: the juniors coming through are outstanding. Simply the best. Fact : it's 30 degrees in the middle of winter. Where would you rather be.
steveng
Roar Rookie
That was a 'dead set try' the ball touched the turf, bunkers are bs!!! That 'fend off' by Zelezniak on Morgan (that put him out) should have been penalised, there was another late 'flop stiff arm' by Zelezniak on Morgan and nothing was done, that should have been penalised. Zelezniak is a dirty reckless player and the refs should have a close look at him whenever he tackles and runs.
Leon Dimitresku
Roar Rookie
They do that every season by snubbing them as they progress to the top. Maybe it's snobbery because we are Westies? Who knows/who cares
Matt
Guest
Panthers are 10 wins of their last 12 games since round 10, after only 2 wins from first 9. If the season started in Round 10, they'd be 2 points clear of the Storm, and 4 clear of Roosters Broncos, 6 clear of Sharks Eagles and Eels. Hard to know why any team with that form is not being talked about more. Talk about who they've beaten, but you can only beat who's in front of you on the park, right? All these guys know is that they keep singing the song. Game after game. Makes no difference to them if no one else cares.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
They should be proud of that effort tonight. Unlucky really. Probably entitled to win after 25 minutes. Looked the better team at that stage. A lot of things are going right for the Panthers.
R N
Roar Rookie
Its great to support a team that never rolls over... even when they lose you can at least be satisfied they gave it their all!
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Their last tackle options were absolutely appalling. Cleary really turned that game on his own.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
» Click here to read the full match report Final Score Penrith 24 Cowboys 16 Thanks for tuning in. See you next time on The Roar.
Jimmmy
Guest
The Cleary try save was crucial. No complaints with the result and very proud of the way the Cows go about their game . Well done boys.
Big D
Guest
ha so channel 9 just said penrith have some improvements in them.. on that showing against a depleted Cowboys I would say out in straight sets come finals time.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Full-time. And the Panthers move into the top six. Final Score Penrith 24 Cowboys 16 Match report to follow. Thanks for tuning in to the blog. Hope you enjoyed the coverage.
willy
Guest
phil gould doesnt commentate when panthers are on tv. can we not have locky on when a qld team plays. bloody terrible.
Jarryd
Guest
Don't get the moylan hype. Looks like your classic ball hog who tries for a hero play 9 times out of 10. Taking on the line on the last tackle then throwing a flick pass to his prop sums up his play. Penrith look a much better side with edwards at the back, cleary running the show at 7 and a 6 who plays his sidekick.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Last tackle option for the Cowboys is weak and the Panthers will work it away.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Obstruction Penalty to the Cowboys and they will have one last shot at the line.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
The Cowboys playing a little razzle dazzle and turn it over to Penrith.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
A brave effort from the Cowboys and they surge forward again, refusing to concede this game.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Penrith 24 Cowboys 16