The North Queensland Cowboys scored in the opening minute to stun Penrith, but the Panthers hit back after a missed knock-on, which was described by ABC Sport’s Luke Lewis as a “horrible, horrible call”.
Earlier, the Dolphins overcame the loss of their halfback with a wrist dislocation to defeat the New Zealand Warriors 26-24.
Tonight, the Manly Sea Eagles and Melbourne Storm resume their rivalry at Brookvale Oval.
Meanwhile, Queensland can breathe a sigh of relief after three Maroons were cleared for State of Origin selection after avoiding bans by the Match Review Committee.
Follow the live blog below, keep up to date with all the latest stats in our ScoreCentre, and tune in to our live radio coverage.
Sat 27 Jun 2026 at 5:36pm
Sat 27 Jun 2026 at 5:36pm
Live: Cowboys vs PanthersSat 27 Jun 2026 at 6:15pm
Sat 27 Jun 2026 at 6:15pmSat 27 Jun 2026 at 6:15pm
36′ Liam Henry returns from the sin bin
The Penrith Panthers are back to 13 players.
They conceded six points with him off and now trail by four points.
Cowboys 10
Panthers 6
Sat 27 Jun 2026 at 6:08pm
Sat 27 Jun 2026 at 6:08pm
30′ TRY: Jeremiah Nanai scores for the Cowboys
Brilliant from the North Queensland Cowboys.
Scott Drinkwater put up a high bomb.
Murray Taulagi (Cowboys) outjumps Brian To’o (Panthers) to catch the ball cleanly, and then he pops a pass to Jeremiah Nanai.
The refs cannot take this try off him.
Jake Clifford misses the conversion attempt.
Cowboys 10
Panthers 6
Sat 27 Jun 2026 at 6:06pm
Sat 27 Jun 2026 at 6:06pm
Panthers centre Paul Alamoti off for HIASat 27 Jun 2026 at 6:06pm
Sat 27 Jun 2026 at 6:06pm
28′ PENALTY GOAL: Cowboys level the score
From the professional foul penalty, which puts Liam Henry in the sin bin, Jake Clifford kicks the goal.
Cowboys 6
Panthers 6
Sat 27 Jun 2026 at 6:05pm
Sat 27 Jun 2026 at 6:05pm
26′ SIN BIN: Panther in the bin after stopping try, but not a penalty try
The Cowboys have the ball 40 metres from the goal-line and kick deep for left winger Murray Taulagi.
Taulagi picks up the ball but is brought down one metre short of the line.
On the final play, the ball is passed to Jeremiah Nanai, who goes for the line, and he is over.
We are going to the Bunker for a dropped ball.
However, Liam Henry, who was part of stopping Nanai, was called offside.
The Bunker supports the call of a knock-on. It is no try, rather than a penalty try.
Liam Henry is sent to the sin bin for a professional foul.
Henry stripped the ball from Nanai, with two other Panthers in the tackle.
Because there were other Panthers in the tackle, the officials did not award a penalty try.
Cowboys 4
Panthers 6
Sat 27 Jun 2026 at 6:00pm
Sat 27 Jun 2026 at 6:00pm
23′ Drop, drop, forward pass, drop, drop
The errors are mounting up in this match.
The Cowboys and Panthers are just trading dropped balls in this match.
ABC Sport’s Luke Lewis has threatened to go home.
We’re 23 minutes into this game and I feel like we are watching a drop-a-thon.
There was also a forward pass called on the Panthers captain, Isaah Yeo.
But honestly, that inside pass to fullback Dylan Edwards looked backwards.
Cowboys 4
Panthers 6
Sat 27 Jun 2026 at 5:50pm
Sat 27 Jun 2026 at 5:50pm
15′ NO TRY: Forward pass cruels the Cowboys
Another knock-on by the Panthers has led to the Cowboys attacking again.
The Cowboys are in the left corner with winger Murray Taulagi, but the pass to him has been ruled forward.
Cowboys 4
Panthers 6
Sat 27 Jun 2026 at 5:49pm
Sat 27 Jun 2026 at 5:49pm
12′ TRY: Panthers score after ‘horrible, horrible call’
The Panthers score against the run of play.
Left winger Thomas Jenkins has darted from dummy-half 10 metres out, caught the Cowboys napping, and he scores his 21st try this season.
But the Panthers appear to have been given a huge help by the ref.
Nathan Cleary made a half-break, offloaded to Freddy Lussick, and EVERYONE thought Lussick knocked on.
But ref Wyatt Raymond has ruled Cowboys lock Reuben Cotter knocked the ball back. Even if he did, it really looks like Lussick dropped the ball.
ABC Sport’s commentary team have been left bemused.
That is dead-set a horrible, horrible call. That is a knock-on for all money. — Luke Lewis, ABC Sport
Cowboys 4
Panthers 6
Sat 27 Jun 2026 at 5:44pm
Sat 27 Jun 2026 at 5:44pm
10′ Sloppy Panthers survive another attacking raid
A pass from Panthers five-eighth Blaize Talagi is high and dropped by centre Izack Tago.
The Cowboys gather the ball and are attacking the goal-line again.
After a few plays, the Cowboys get a six-again, but prop Thomas Mikaele drops the ball while going for the line.
Cowboys 4
Panthers 0
Sat 27 Jun 2026 at 5:40pm
Sat 27 Jun 2026 at 5:40pm
5′ Reed Mahoney makes a line break for the Cowboys
The Panthers are yet to complete a set.
Meanwhile. Coboys hooker Reed Mahoney dummies and runs through a big gap. It gives the Cowboys another attacking chance, but the Panthers are able to scramble and hold out the home side.
Sat 27 Jun 2026 at 5:34pm
Sat 27 Jun 2026 at 5:34pm
1′ TRY: Murray Taulagi scores for the Cowboys
What a start for the Cowboys.
With an attacking set at the Panthers’ goal-line, the Cowboys go from left to right and Murray Taulagi scores the opening try in the corner.
Cowboys halfback Jake Clifford misses the conversion attempt from the right touchline.
Cowboys 4
Panthers 0
Sat 27 Jun 2026 at 5:33pm
Sat 27 Jun 2026 at 5:33pm
KICK-OFF: Panthers drop the ball in the first tackle
Ref Wyatt Raymond blows his whistle and the Cowboys vs Panthers is underway.
Penrith prop Moses Leota takes the first hit-up and KNOCK-ON.
Jeremiah Nanai was the Cowboy who got the big shot on.
Leota got up and gave an open-handed shove to Nanai’s face.
There is a push and shove, and the Cowboys get a penalty.
Sat 27 Jun 2026 at 5:31pm
Sat 27 Jun 2026 at 5:31pm
Guard of honour given to Jason Taumalolo
A lovely moment.
The Cowboys run out onto Townsville Stadium, and they form a guard of honour for Jason Taumalolo.
Taumalolo is playing his 300th NRL match, and the first Cowboys to play 300 games for the club.
Sat 27 Jun 2026 at 5:25pm
Sat 27 Jun 2026 at 5:25pm
Jason Taumalolo plays his 300th NRL match
(Getty)
North Queensland Cowboys great Jason Taumalolo is about to play his 300th NRL game.
Taumalolo is a premiership winner, a Dally M player of the year winner, and today becomes the first to play 300 games for the North Queensland Cowboys.
He is an all-time great.
Sat 27 Jun 2026 at 5:17pm
Sat 27 Jun 2026 at 5:17pm
TEAM LISTS: Cowboys vs Panthers
(NRL)
For the Cowboys, Jason Taumalolo will start his 300th NRL game at lock. Young playmaker Liam Sutton has been added to the six-player bench.
For the Panthers, State of Origin stars Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo and Brian To’o return to the side. After playing on the wing last week, Paul Alamoti moves to centre. Liam Henry has been promoted to starting prop in a late change, with Lindsay Smith going back to the bench.
Sat 27 Jun 2026 at 5:12pm
Sat 27 Jun 2026 at 5:12pm
The Dolphins and Warriors prove they are premiership contenders
Sounds like this was one of the most exciting games of the season. I really like both teams and would love both to be in the finals.
– KB
G’day KB.
The Dolphins and Warriors have played one of the best games in 2026.
And their contest on Anzac Day in Wellington, which the Warriors won by two points, was also a beauty.
You would love to see these two play in the finals? Rest easy KB, these two teams have ambitions of winning the grand final.
However, I reckon the Panthers and the Roosters (at this stage) also have a very big claim to being premiers this year.
Anyone else other than the current NRL top four that you think could win the premiership in 2026?
Sat 27 Jun 2026 at 5:08pm
Sat 27 Jun 2026 at 5:08pm
Jamayne Isaako joins ABC Sport after kicking the match-winning goal
How about the life of a goal kicker?
After one of the finest games of rugby league, the outcome rested on the right boot of Jamayne Isaako.
With a conversion attempt on the right touchline, the Dolphins winger rose to the occasion and nailed the kick to win the match.
He also scored two tries today, and had a stack of running metres. He really is class.
Isaako has just spoken about his match-winning kick on ABC Sport with Zane Bojack.
“Everything came down to that last kick, and I’m just grateful I was able to slot it,” he says.
“I missed the first [conversion] about from that same position. I knew I just needed to aim a little bit right, and I had enough curl to get it between the posts.”
Sat 27 Jun 2026 at 4:57pm
Sat 27 Jun 2026 at 4:57pm
FULL-TIME: Dolphins 26 def. Warriors 24
The Dolphins have overcome the loss of their halfback with a wrist dislocation to defeat the New Zealand Warriors 26-24.
The Warriors scored late to take a four-point lead. But the Dolphins replied with less than three minutes to play, then Jamayne Isaako nailed the match-winning conversion kick from the sideline.
Sat 27 Jun 2026 at 4:57pm
Sat 27 Jun 2026 at 4:57pm
80′ Dolphins get the ball
The Warriors are trying to throw the ball around.
The Dolphins’ defence is holding firm.
An offload goes to ground, AND THE DOLPHINS GATHER.
GAME OVER.
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