Panthers stunned as legend ‘rolls back the years’ in 300th game
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Jason Taumalolo wiped tears from his face before running out for his 300th game on Saturday night and the Cowboys more than rose to the occasion.
The champion forward was overcome with emotion before kick off in Townsville, before inspiring his side to a 26-12 win over ladder-leaders Penrith.
Jason Taumalolo walks out for his 300th game. Getty
Taumalolo was given a guard of honour by his North Queensland teammates as he walked onto the field in front of a sold-out QCB Stadium.
The 33-year-old started at prop for the Cowboys and if there was ever a time for them to turn up from play one, it was for a club legend’s milestone.
That was exactly the case from the opening moment when Panthers prop Moses Leota steamed off the back fence and was met by a host of defenders.
Leota dropped the ball in contact as Thomas Mikaele and Jeremiah Nanai erupted, causing a fiery melee between the two sides.
Replays showed an open-palm strike from Leota to Nanai, with on-field referee Wyatt Raymond penalising the enforcer and cautioning both captains.
From the ensuing set, Murray Taulagi scored in the corner to set the home crowd alight and giving the Cowboys an early 4-0 lead over the NRL powerhouse.
The visitors soon hit back when Tom Jenkins crossed for Penrith’s first try.
North Queensland levelled the scores with a penalty goal after Liam Henry was sin binned for a professional foul that denied Nanai a try close to the line.
The try-scoring Cowboys back-rower got over the line again soon after with the Panthers down to 12 men and this time he wouldn’t be denied, chasing through in support as Taulagi leapt above to catch a bomb and offloaded it to Nanai.
“They deserve the lead - they have been the better side,” Steve Roach said on Fox League commentary as the home side kicked clear.
Jenkins made it a first-half double, continuing his incredible season, to put the Panthers clear again before the break, but the Cowboys wouldn’t go away.
The hosts were gifted a penalty goal near the posts to make it 12-12, setting up a grandstand finish as Taumalolo did everything in his power, including one carry where he steamrolled Isaiah Papali’i and forced him off the field for a HIA.
“That is rolling back the years, that’s a 2017-style run,” Dan Ginnane said.
North Queensland took the lead with another penalty goal, before Nanai - who could be suring back into State of Origin selection calculations after a wretched injury run - outgunned Dylan Edwards for a high-ball to score.
Jake Clifford put the icing on the cake with three minutes remaining, with the result a major boost for the Cowboys’ hopes of a top-eight finish.
Jason Taumalolo looks on during his 300th game. Getty
But the night belonged to Taumalolo, who is the Cowboys’ most capped player in history and is argubaly the club’s greatest player alongside Johnathan Thurston.
“You can see by this performance what he means - they have been inspired and it’s the best win for this club in a long, long time,” Ginanne said.
“No one here is ever gonna forget this night.”
