LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
The Penrith Panthers' NRL premiership defence is in free-fall after suffering a fourth straight defeat, with a series of embarrassing incidents highlighting their current struggles.
The team's star player, Isaah Yeo, celebrated his 250th game with the club, but fans quickly noticed a glaring mistake on his commemorative jersey that got the date of the match wrong.
This was just the beginning of a disastrous night for the Panthers, as Casey McLean's refusal to pass to a teammate in a key moment was deemed "unforgivable" by fans.
The Panthers ultimately lost to the Cowboys 22-18, marking their worst start to a season since 2013.
Despite the return of co-captain Nathan Cleary from concussion, the Panthers were unable to turn their fortunes around.
Coach Todd Payten's Cowboys, who were initially dismissed as underdogs, managed to secure their second consecutive win.
The defeat only added to Penrith's woes, as they faced criticism for their poor performance and lack of form.
The comical gaffe surrounding Yeo's milestone game set the tone for a disappointing night for the Panthers, who have now lost four games in a row.
Fans and commentators alike expressed disbelief at the team's recent struggles, with veteran Penrith league reporter commenting on the jersey error, stating, "That will just about do me for the night.
Unbelievable!"
Overall, the Panthers' loss to the Cowboys highlighted their current plight and raised questions about their ability to defend their premiership title.
The team must regroup and address their issues quickly if they hope to turn their season around and avoid further disappointment.