Brave return from Penrith forward Sam McKendry can't save Panthers from defeat to Cowboys

SIXTEEN humiliated Penrith players walked off as losers on Sunday night. But, for one Panther, just being out there was victory in itself.

SIXTEEN humiliated Penrith players walked off Centrebet Stadium as losers on Sunday night. But, for one Panther, just being out there was brave victory in itself.

Prop Sam McKendry made a courageous - and inspired - return to rugby league just four months after sustaining a broken neck.

His contribution was minimal, his side thrashed 36-4 by a rampaging North Queensland.

McKendry, though, will long be remembered and admired for his ability to overcome adversity.

In round seven this year, McKendry broke his neck in a match against Parramatta at Centrebet Stadium.

There were fears he would never play again. In fact, McKendry played on that day for 15 minutes with his horrific injury.

McKendry wasn't originally named in the Penrith side last week but was a late inclusion just before kick-off.

It was the night when a loser was a winner.

"I'm really proud of him," Penrith skipper Kevin Kingston said.

"It was an inspiration for the boys for him to come back from such a horrific injury. It was one positive to come out of the game."

McKendry made six runs on Sunday night for 49 metres. He also completed 23 tackles.

"There were periods there when we were unsure about his future," Penrith coach Ivan Cleary said.

"Not for one day did he doubt it (a return). He couldn't wait to get out there."

Penrith certainly weren't boosted by McKendry's return.

The Panthers' defence was horrible as North Queensland scored six converted tries to retain their slim semi-final aspirations.

Cowboys superstar Johnathan Thurston was amazing.

He set up five tries with a sublime passing, kicking and running game.

Ironically, his performance was against Penrith, the club he all but agreed to join next season.

Thurston was all class in a match generally lacking class. He was on another level to the other 33 players.

"I'm just enjoying my football," Thurston said.

"Hopefully we can sneak into the finals and do something then."

Cowboys coach Neil Henry added: "Johnathan was tremendous. He has been in great form. Our starting props have really given our halves some momentum."

The Cowboys led 12-4 at half-time and three tries in the opening 22 minutes of the second half sealed the victory.

Penrith, who sit alongside the Cowboys on 20 points, can still make the finals but would have to improve tenfold on Sunday night's performance.

The Panthers offered up nothing before a paltry crowd of 6611. It was their fourth successive defeat.

They were embarrassing.

To be brutally honest, either side would be semi-final fodder.

Cowboys hooker Ray Thompson scored three tries on Sunday night, all in the space of 12 minutes in the second half.

"We have to keep winning," Henry said. "It was very pleasing not to let them score in the second half.

"We can keep rolling. We have three of our last four games at home. Everyone is contributing. When we play our best football we can beat any team."

Cleary was left to lament a poor performance.

Panthers

"It didn't happen for us tonight," he said. "Our second half was very disappointing. There were a lot of fundamental errors. They were too good. We lacked our mojo."

COWBOYS 36 (R Thompson 3, K Feldt, B Tate, A Winterstein tries; J Thurston 6 goals) PANTHERS 4 (D Simmons try) at Centrebet Stadium. Referee: Gerard Sutton, Adam Gee. Crowd: 6611.