Perth NRL: North Queensland even the ledger with win over beat-up South Sydney

North Queensland’s season is well and truly alive after a startling 24-16 win over South Sydney in Perth.

The Cowboys were staring down the barrel after an 0-3 start to their campaign, but after taking care of the Raiders and Panthers in the last fortnight, they punished a beat-up Rabbitohs’ mistakes to run out eight-point winners.

South Sydney had their chances to steal victory, denied over the line by a gang tackle before two costly mistakes in the final four minutes ensured it would be a long flight home for the injury-struck side.

Jaxon Purdue and Scott Drinkwater were both vital for the Cowboys in the second half.

“Very happy (with 3-3). We spoke about it during the week how important it is,” coach Todd Payten said post game.

“I’m very proud of the club and the group given how we started. It’s been a difficult way to start the season.

“We’ve been on the road for six out of eight weeks so we’ll enjoy the break over Easter and re-energise and re-connect with family and be ready to go again.”

The Cowboys’ two-point lead at the half-time break defied their sloppiness, pure determination keeping them in the contest after Euan Aitken opened the scoring for South Sydney.

But the advantage disappeared just three minutes after the break as Jai Arrow lived up to his name from inside the 10-metre mark, the subsequent conversion from Latrell Mitchell making the score 10-6.

Scott Drinkwater was on the brink of putting the Cowboys back in front after a powerful run and pass from Griffin Neame.

But a desperate lunging tackle by Jack Weighton, who was later put on report, rescued the Rabbitohs.

North Queensland reset and got their reward as Sam McIntyre levelled scores with just over 20 minutes to play.

The game returned to a stalemate as both sides did their best not to make a mistake.

The Rabbitohs blinked first; Sean Keppie caught ball watching as Jaxon Purdue almost just danced past him on his way to the easiest of tries under the posts, bombing the ball into the crowd in elation.

It was party time in North Queensland when Purdue found another gap on the outside after a costly drop, Drinkwater’s swinging conversion giving the Cowboys a 12-point advantage to guard for the final 10 minutes.

The pro-Rabbitohs Perth fans were given hope at the 72nd mark as Jye Gray cleaned up a loose ball and used a one-two pass to open up the try line and score.

Stand-in skipper Mitchell scored the clutch conversion, ensuring an electric finish.

A desperate gang tackle saved the Cowboys, the ball not finding grass in the try zone, and the Rabbitohs’ frustration proved costly as they turned the ball over and then gave away a head-high tackle in front of North Queensland’s goal.

Drinkwater calmly slotted his second penalty goal to end South Sydney’s rally.

Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett said the result took the “gloss” off his side’s time in Perth during a stony press conference.

“We made a day of it but I suppose a poor performance takes the gloss off a little bit and it was a big game,” he said.