Cowboys take Panthers’ losing streak to four in Yeo’s 250th

CommBank Stadium: They could not lift with the return of Nathan Cleary. They could not lift for Isaah Yeo’s 250th game. They were never going to lift with the small Friday evening crowd on hand at their makeshift new home at CommBank Stadium.

The Panthers have suddenly dropped four straight games following their 22-18 loss to the North Queensland Cowboys.

They have not dropped four of their opening five games since the 2013 season when they missed the NRL finals.

Yeo was all class in his milestone game, and Cleary did his best to produce something special in the second half, but never has it been more obvious the support acts were no longer there.

The sight of Yeo digging into the line and passing to Cleary who then unleashed his outside men never got boring. There was none of that against the Cowboys.

It is well documented the Panthers have lost a truckload of talent each year – but this really does look the year the dream run ends.

The Cowboys celebrate a try on Friday.Credit: Getty Images

Panthers coach Ivan Cleary said after the game: “We’re in uncharted waters to some extent. We’ve all lost games, but clearly the flow you’d like just isn’t there.

“There are a number of reasons for where we’re probably at, things I know, and things I’m not sure [about].

“We have to keep prioritising the things we can control.

“We feel like we could win every game, but what may have once come easily, we’re making it look hard at the moment.”

Cleary was certainly not writing off the season in early April and said: “I couldn’t care less about the season slipping away. I have complete faith in this group and what we can achieve, we just need to play well enough to get one of these wins, which I’m sure isn’t far away.

“Each and every game we could have won. You can say ‘coulda shoulda’, but we’re just finding ways not to.”

Penrith had their chances to win it. Winger Paul Alamoti thought he had scored the equaliser with five minutes remaining, only for replays to show he put his left boot on the touchline before somehow planting the ball down.

Casey McLean only had to pass the previous play to an unmarked Tom Jenkins, only to go himself and get dragged down metres from the line.

Panthers fans will bemoan the fact Coen Hess smashed Cleary as he tried to kick the ball, but it was across the chest rather than high. The call they are entitled to question was a knock-on call against Jenkins when Robert Darby appeared to spill the ball.

To make matters worse for Penrith, they could be without Izack Tago who was placed on report and binned for a high shot on Murray Taulagi. Jack Cole also came from the field – eventually – for a head injury assessment after going low on Jordan McLean.

At least Dylan Edwards is a chance to return from a groin injury, while back-rower Scott Sorensen should be back from concussion.

The best moment of the first half was McLean gunning down Cowboys winger Robert Derby after he had intercepted a Jack Cole pass. Derby caught the ball on his own 10m but was brought down by McLean on the premiers’ 10m line.

It was truly inspirational stuff with McLean supported by Tom Jenkins.

Cowboys coach Todd Payten was proud of his side’s defensive display, especially after they were on a six-day back-up after playing in stifling Townsville heat, and lost Reuben Cotter to a virus on game day. They will remain in Sydney for the week before heading to Perth to play South Sydney.

Payten could live with the Robson sin-bin for a high shot on Laurie, but took issue with a few other dubious calls that were not pulled up.

“There were some missed calls that went against us in the swing of the game, which shouldn’t have been missed,” he said.

“There were two high shots, one on Murray Taulagi and one on Scott Drinkwater, right in front of the sticks, right in front of the referee. We got a little bit lucky in that regard ... we’re just looking for consistency.”