The Cowboys’ Round 14 win over the Storm was essential, however Friday evening’s golden level victory over the Panthers is “right next door to it… probably even a bit better,” in response to coach Todd Payten.
The Cowboys had been down 20-12 at half time to a makeshift Panthers facet that also seemed like a well-oiled machine.
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Payten admitted his facet “got punched in the face a couple of times” however at half time he “challenged the lads to stand up.”
And rise up they did.
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The Cowboys sparked a spirited second-half comeback to lock scores up 22-all with slightly below 20 minutes to go earlier than discipline targets from Chad Townsend and Jack Cogger despatched the sport to golden level.
Some Scott Drinkwater received the sport within the 88th minute with Payten admitting contained in the coaches field is was “exciting… loud… and a bit of relief, to be fair.”
It’s the second time North Queensland have document back-to-back wins and it’s pushed them as much as twelfth on ladder — for now.
He classed the win “a bit better” as a result of effort it took to get again into the competition.
“Given we were eight points down at half time and the way the last five or 10 minutes unfolded. If that goes against us, we’d have to really regroup,” Payten mentioned.
“Physically it was challenging, they’re going to be exhausted over the next three or four days.”
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When requested if the Cowboys’ ‘never say die’ angle is again, Payten mentioned “it’s close.”
“I think we got a good lesson tonight,” he added.
“We didn’t get a shot inside their 20-metre zone until the 53rd minute. They don’t make an error coming out of their own end, their discipline is good. We gave away three yardage penalties and two yardage errors in the first half.
“They challenged our ruck, our forward pack and there were times where we were hanging on. That’s what you’ve got to do consistently week after week.
“We dug deep and made some really tough decisions as individuals and as a team tonight. That’s why we’re sitting here celebrating.”
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Key to the Cowboys’ win was the return of famous person ahead Jason Taumalolo from 9 weeks on the sideline with a knee harm.
He admitted earlier than the sport that he was a bit nervous given it was not solely the longest time he’d ever spent out injured, however he was additionally coming off his very first surgical procedure.
“Not often do I get nervous before games but I think that was my longest stint (sidelined) since the start of my career so it feels like Round 1 all over again for me,” he mentioned.
Taumalolo was injected into the sport within the twenty fourth minute and got here up with some huge moments.
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He completed with 185 metres from 17 runs, 5 deal with busts and 26 tackles with 4 misses.
“He had some really important carries for us when it mattered. He gives everyone confidence, which is good,” Payten mentioned.
Taumalolo admitted “the first 15 minutes weren’t too pleasant” however he discovered his “second wind” at half time.
He credited his teammates for stepping up whereas a number of Origin gamers had been out believes the “boys will grow another leg off that” win.
“(It was) one of those games where you get to watch the boys grow a bit… It was a bit of a dogfight, both teams going at it. I guess it was a battle of who wanted it more,” he mentioned.
Source: www.foxsports.com.au