Dynasty question Panthers can’t ignore; signs dark horse could stun NRL: Big Hits
Dearden, Drinkwater and Purdue may sound like the name of an elite law firm, but on Friday night, the trio proved pivotal on the footy field as the Cowboys upset the Panthers 22-18 at CommBank Stadium.
MATCH CENTRE: Panthers v Cowboys, stats, scores
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The stage was set for a Penrith victory in Western Sydney as Nathan Cleary returned from his week off to celebrate Isaah Yeo’s 250th game.
Still, they didn’t count on an inspired performance from the rejuvenated Cowboys who, despite missing skipper Reuben Cotter, broke through for a second-straight win thanks mainly to the heroics of fullback Scott Drinkwater, five-eighth Tom Dearden and teenage centre Jaxon Purdue.
With three try assists and two line-break assists between them, Drinkwater and Dearden were the architects of the win while 19-year-old Purdue’s stock continued to rise as he grabbed a vital try and punched multiple holes in a surprisingly porous Panthers defence.
Penrith weren’t awful by any stretch of the imagination. They led 18-12 at halftime and created multiple attacking opportunities during the second stanza.
However, bad luck and a touch of panic ultimately saw them slump to four consecutive losses for the first time since 2019.
The visitors opened the scoring after seven minutes when Drinkwater and Purdue combined to set up Murray Taulagi. However, back-to-back tries to Casey McLean and Izack Tago, the latter off a sublime grubber from Cleary, put Penrith ahead 12-6 after 20 minutes.
North Queensland overcame the sin-binning of hooker Reece Robson to level the scores via a Viliami Vailea try at the half-hour mark, but Yeo’s short ball for Garner gave the premiers an 18-12 advantage at the break.
Todd Payten’s men got back within two points six minutes after the resumption when Drinkwater’s grubber was retrieved by Purdue, who later concocted a break from deep within his own half to put his side on the attack once again.
This would prove significant as, from the ensuring set, Dearden’s crossfield kick was fumbled in-goal by Tago, allowing Taulagi to retake the lead for the Cowboys.
An example of some willing defence occurred with 10 minutes to go, when Coen Hess levelled Cleary with a bone-crunching tackle while the star halfback was about to attempt a kick.
The four-time defending premiers thought they had levelled the scores when Paul Alomati crossed in the corner with four minutes remaining. While the try was initially awarded on the field, it was struck off by the bunker, who ruled the centre’s foot had grazed the touch in-goal line during his acrobatic finish.
BIG HITS
The Crackdown Continues
The crackdown on high shots continued on Friday night as Robson was sin-binned for a high tackle on Panthers fullback Daine Laurie.
Robson was initially only penalised for his indiscretion, but an intervention from the Bunker saw the NSW Origin star marched for 10 minutes.
Remarkably, the Cowboys scored while they were down to 12 players.
Tago also made a trip to the sin bin in the closing stages of the game when the bunker declared that he hit Taulagi high.
Panthers in Crisis?
Is the Penrith dynasty coming to an end?
If the results from the first five rounds of the competition are any indication, it very well may be.
With just one win from five starts, Ivan Cleary’s men currently sit 14th on the ladder. September is a long way away, but this is not a promising start.
Shades of 2022
When the Cowboys reached a prelim final three years ago, it was on the back of their defence.
That part of their game has let them down in recent years and at times this season, but their effort against Penrith would have made Todd Payten proud.
The Cowboys didn’t concede a single point in the second half, repelling several Panthers attempts at their line.
North Queensland have the flair in attack required to win a comp. If they can keep producing defensive performances like this, they’re a live premiership hope.
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