Panthers count cost of Origin as Cowboys ride away with points

The Panthers missed the experience of a host of senior players as two of the most Origin-affected sides in the competition went head-to-head in Penrith on Sunday

With a total of 10 players across the Panthers and Cowboys due to the second Origin clash in Melbourne earlier in the week, the home side lacked direction in a 16-6 defeat to North Queensland.

Jaxon Purdue is sent to the sin-bin.

Brian To’o, Dylan Edwards, Jarome Luai and Liam Martin were all rested for the Panthers, while the Cowboys were missing Reece Robson, Tom Dearden, Reuben Cotter, Valentine Holmes, Jeremiah Nanai and Murray Taulagi.

Even with a double first-half sin-bin for North Queensland, the Panthers were only able to muster six points for the game, with the Cowboy’s scrambling goal-line defence too good for a clunky Panthers attack.

Cowboys fullback Scott Drinkwater was the first to go to the bin, in the 13th minute for a professional foul after the visitors had given away three repeat sets in front of their line.

It was a gallant effort from North Queensland, who kept the Panthers scoreless during that time, but Penrith were finally able to find a crack in their defence after Jaxon Purdue was sent to the bin for a trip on Daine Laurie.

Brad Schneider scores the Panthers only try on Sunday afternoon.

Brad Schneider got the Panthers’ first and only points during that time, slipping through the Cowboys line to go over next to the sticks.

Isaah Yeo was the only Origin player to back up, and the Panthers found some rhythm when the captain came onto the field after 20 minutes, but North Queensland rose to the challenge.

Schneider’s kicking game was hot and cold, with fans and players beginning to pine for the premiership-winning combination of Luai and Nathan Cleary.

Coach Ivan Cleary had said the club were hopeful Nathan would return after the next bye, which would mean a comeback against the Dolphins in round 20.

Cleary said Nathan was running, but was still “a bit off” hitting top speed and running drills with the team.

“Certainly going through his rehab, going well. Let’s hope what keeps going well ... the last thing we all want is a re-injury.”

Sunday’s result moved North Queensland into the top eight for the first time since round seven.

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