NRL 2025: Cowboys comeback as controversial sin bin leads to Panthers’ fourth straight loss

A stunning Cowboys comeback has condemned the four-time defending premiers Penrith to a fourth-straight defeat for the first time in 12 years and spoiled Isaah Yeo’s 250th NRL game.

Cowboys co-captain Tom Dearden has described the NRL’s crackdown on high shots as confusing yet something players and fans will have no choice but to become accustomed.

Dearden made the claim in the wake of North Queensland’s 22-18 upset win over the Panthers at CommBank Stadium on Friday night where play was halted time and again for several high shots.

Cowboys hooker Reece Robson and Panthers centre Izack Tago were both sin-binned under the new rules that relates to any player committing a high tackle with force being sent from the field for 10-minutes.

However, the match was also stopped on multiple occasions for high shots that had occurred several minutes earlier.

Cowboys co-captain Tom Dearden has described the NRL’s crackdown on high shots as confusing. Picture: Getty Images

250-game player Isaah Yeo was placed on-report for a high shot on Cowboys fullback Scott Drinkwater during a tense second-half.

The controversial call, which luckily for the Cowboys didn’t impact the final result, saw Yeo hit Drinkwater with a high tackle that went missed by the on-field referee Peter Gough.

The incident occurred directly in front of the goalposts, offering what should’ve been a potential gift two points to the Cowboys.

Cowboys hooker Reece Robson was sent to the sin bin. Picture: Getty Images

However, the incident was missed, leaving the video bunker to intervene once Penrith had regained possession to place Yeo on-report several minutes later.

“The confusing part is that it just stopped for (seemingly) no reason and its going back to a couple of tackles,’’ Dearden told Triple M radio.

“I know that they’re trying to look after the players and the players safety, so you can certainly understand that side of it.

“But it is confusing and if that’s going to be the ruling we’re just going to have to get used to it.’’

COWBOYS TRIO STAND UP IN PANTHERS UPSET

—Steven Russo

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.

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.

Viliami Vailea scores a try for the Cowboys. Picture: Getty Images

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.

Panthers second-rower Luke Garner almost crashes through the Cowboys defence. Picture: Getty Images

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 cross field kick was fumbled in-goal by Tago, allowing Taulagi to retake the lead for the Cowboys.

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.

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.

Originally published as NRL 2025: Cowboys comeback as controversial sin bin leads to Panthers’ fourth straight loss