The Penrith Panthers’ quest for a fourth win of the season concluded in a nail-biting draw against the North Queensland Cowboys, following an intense golden point finish. Despite two opportunities to seal the game during regular time, the Panthers’ efforts were thwarted by a resolute Cowboys defence.
A pivotal moment unfolded when the Panthers made an error, giving the Cowboys a penalty chance for a field goal, which Scott Drinkwater subsequently missed. The tension continued into the golden point, where Drinkwater again attempted a field goal but missed the target. The struggle persisted as both Jake Clifford and Nathan Cleary failed to score during the suspenseful final moments, with Cleary’s shot famously blocked by Drinkwater, leaving commentator Andrew Voss amused by the unfolding drama.
The game’s conclusion came with the siren, marking a frustrating draw for the Panthers, as Cleary remarked on their missed opportunities post-game.
Earlier, the match had seen a tight exchange of tries, with the Cowboys leading 18-12 at half-time. Clifford scored early in the second half to level the match before a contentious penalty decision in the 52nd minute shifted the momentum. Penrith appeared to take control when Liam Henry broke through the Cowboys’ line following the penalty call for a high shot, which left Cowboys coach Kevin Walters outraged, claiming no illegal contact was made.
Despite North Queensland’s protests, the penalty stood, allowing Penrith to gain crucial ground that led to another try from Thomas Jenkins. The Cowboys, however, did not relent, retaliating with back-to-back tries from Robert Derby and Tom Dearden that equalised the score, pushing the match into golden point territory.
In this gripping duel filled with momentum swings and refereeing controversies, both teams displayed resilience but ultimately ended the night with a stalemate, leaving fans eagerly awaiting their next clash.