Panthers v Cowboys NRL R5 preview & betting tips | Friday 2/4/25

Panthers v Cowboys NRL R5 best bets

NRL Round 5 preview: Penrith Panthers vs North QLD Cowboys

The Penrith Panthers will host the North Queensland Cowboys in a high-stakes NRL Round 5 showdown at CommBank Stadium on Friday night. Kickoff is set for 6pm AEDT as both sides chase consistency after shaky starts to the 2025 season.

The Panthers come into this clash under real pressure, sitting 13th on the NRL ladder after three straight defeats — their worst run since 2019.

Defensively fragile and missing key personnel, the defending premiers desperately need to stop the bleeding and spark their season back into gear.

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Meanwhile, the Cowboys are riding a small wave of confidence after breaking through for their first win of the season in Round 4, downing the Raiders 30-20.

Jake Clifford was the standout in that win, and if the Cowboys can build on that attacking performance while tightening their defence, they will be a live chance to roll the wobbly Panthers.

Penrith remain $1.22 favourites with the top NRL betting sites, but this is far from a sure thing.

Expect a desperate performance from both sides with plenty to prove and two premiership-calibre halfbacks leading the charge.

Panthers vs Cowboys Round 5 team news

Penrith Panthers

1. Daine Laurie
2. Paul Alamoti
3. Izack Tago
4. Thomas Jenkins
5. Casey McLean
6. Jack Cole
7. Nathan Cleary
8. Moses Leota
9. Mitch Kenny
10. Lindsay Smith
11. Isaiah Papali’i
12. Liam Martin
13. Isaah Yeo
14. Brad Schneider
15. Matthew Eisenhuth
16. Liam Henry
17. Luke Garner

The Panthers are boosted by the return of Nathan Cleary from concussion, while Brian To’o (hamstring) and Scott Sorensen (concussion) both miss through injury. Casey McLean and Matthew Eisenhuth come into the 17 as Penrith look to stabilise both edges.

North Queensland Cowboys

1. Scott Drinkwater
2. Robert Derby
3. Jaxon Purdue
4. Viliami Vailea
5. Murray Taulagi
6. Tom Dearden
7. Jake Clifford
8. Jordan McLean
9. Reece Robson
10. Jason Taumalolo
11. John Bateman
12. Kai O’Donnell
13. Reuben Cotter
14. Sam McIntyre
15. Jeremiah Nanai
16. Griffin Neame
17. Coen Hess

The Cowboys have named an unchanged line-up from their Round 4 win, with Griffin Neame cleared of a hamstring scare. Braidon Burns remains sidelined with a hamstring issue of his own, while Tom Chester and Heilum Luki are out for the season with ACL injuries.

Panthers vs Cowboys NRL Rd 5 betting predictions

The Panthers might be off to a rough start, but with Cleary returning and the Cowboys’ patchy defence, this is a prime bounce-back spot. Penrith have dominated weaker opposition at home over the years and will be fired up after leaking 28-plus points in three straight games. North Queensland have lost all three games at CommBank, so expect the premiers to flex their muscle and cover the line set by BetOnline.

Thomas Jenkins gets another crack in the centres for Penrith and should benefit from Cleary’s return. He has looked sharp with ball in hand and gets a favourable matchup against a Cowboys right edge that has leaked tries this season. With To’o sidelined, more attacking opportunities will be spread across the backline — and Jenkins is well positioned to cash in with the top online bookmakers offering $2.30 anytime tryscorer odds.

Both sides have struggled to defend in 2025, with the Panthers conceding nearly 30 points per game and the Cowboys allowing 20 or more in every outing. The attacking talent on both teams is undeniable, and Cleary’s return should sharpen Penrith’s attack considerably. With dry conditions forecast and two sides still finding a defensive rhythm, over 50 points looks like a strong play at $1.90 with BetOnline.

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