Jason Taumalolo wiped tears from his face before running out for his 300th game on Saturday night – and his Cowboys teammates gave him a dream start.
The champion forward was overcome with emotion before kick off in Townsville, with his side desperate for a win against 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.