NRL TEAMS - 2024 Round 4
2 days ago | LeagueUnlimited Media
It took 83 minutes but Jonathan Thurston delivered North Queensland the title in a 17-16 thriller in front of 82,758 fans at ANZ Stadium.
The grand final was the first between two Queensland teams and it didn't disappoint. A fast-paced game that took until after the final siren to be decided as Thurston took destiny into his own hands. The Halfback added his second premiership with his 83rd minute field goal that gave North Queensland a first title.
Last time these two met it was a 16-12 win to the Brisbane side and for 79:55 minutes it looked like this would be the same until Kyle Feldt touched down in the corner and left Jonathan Thurston the chance to win it. His conversion hit the post but soon the Cowboys would be in nirvana.
Jonathan Thurston, signed in 2005 to deliver the Cowboys a premiership made good on his promise in the first set of extra time. A Ben Hunt error gave them the possession and on fourth, he slammed over the point that echoed around the whole of North of Queensland. 17-16 it was and a suitable end to a successful rugby league season.
The frenetic pace was set early - Brisbane took a third minute penalty goal for the lead before they opened their shoulders from their own end to send Corey Oates down the sideline and into the books for an 8-nil start.
Cowboys all year were used to playing from behind and they sparked into action. Hooker Jake Granville poked through the ruck before offloading to Justin O'Neill to reduce the deficit to two.
They would take the lead in the 25th minute when the two Cowboys props linked up to provide the score. Ben Hannant's nose almost touched the line before it swung out to James Tamou to shake off a tackler for 12-8 lead.
Brisbane would take the half-time lead when they jammed in defense and forced Jonathan Thurston into an error. From the drop ball, Matt Gillett found Jack Reed after some confirmation got the green lights.
Right after the break, Jordan Kahu added a penalty goal to extend the lead to 16-12. This would be the only score until the final moments. Brisbane repelled several attacking sets from the Cowboys included a Lachlan Coote double movement that was obvious.
Ben Hunt started to kick for the sidelines to take time out of the game but Thurston only needed one set. It was a mad scramble after the siren including a bomb that shifted right and Kyle Feldt got some space to arrow himself over the try-line. That left Jonathan Thurston the chance to send the premiership to North Queensland but it pounded onto the post.. and out. Extra time was needed.
Hunt, who was exceptional all game turned into the villain right at the end. He spilled the extra time kick-off which gifted the Cowboys the last set of the game. Thurston rushed on first eventually got enough space and sent Far North Queensland into party mode.
Thurston completed his stellar night taking home the Clive Churchill medal for man of the match.
Brisbane Broncos 16 North Queensland Cowboys 17
Venue: ANZ Stadium
Crowd: 82758
Halftime Score: Brisbane Broncos 14 North Queensland Cowboys 12
BRISBANE BRONCOS (16)
Tries: Corey Oates, Jack Reed
Conversions: Corey Parker (1/1), Jordan Kahu (1/1)
Penalty Goals: Corey Parker (1/1), Jordan Kahu (1/1)
NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS (17)
Tries: Justin O'Neill, James Tamou, Kyle Feldt
Field Goals: Johnathan Thurston (1/1)
Conversions: Johnathan Thurston (2/3)
3 points - Johnathan Thurston
2 points - Anthony Milford
1 point - Jake Granville
Ahhh, the Grand Final. Welcome to ANZ Stadium as the ground begins to fill to capacity. Plenty to come before kickoff here with first, the retiring and departing players presentation, headlined by tonight's Brisbane captain Justin Hodges and Newcastle's Clint Newton.
We're not far off from Cold Chisel lighting up ANZ Stadium, plenty of lights and fireworks to come as night falls over the Olympic Park venue.
Cold Chisel has lit the Flame to ignite the festivities tonight so onto the actual contest. Both teams come into this game unchanged from their teams announced on Tuesday. Wayne Bennett looking for a super seven while North Queensland chase their first in club history led by Jonathan Thurston seeking his second. He takes on Justin Hodges and the Broncos in about ten minutes. Join us for the LIVE updates.
1: Anthem done, beautifully, by Jessica Mauboy! Now let's get this thing on!
1: KICK-OFF! Broncos head into the northern bowl of ANZ Stadium ready to receive the kick-off. Boot to ball.. HERE WE GO!
4: UNFORCED ERROR NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Kane Linnett makes an unforced error.
Linnett couldn't claw in the offload from Morgan.
5: First penalty of the evening, goes to the Broncos.
6: SUCCESSFUL PENALTY GOAL BRISBANE BRONCOS
Penalty goal attempt by Corey Parker successful.
They opt for the two. From 40 metres out.. Parker steps across and in, snuck it in.
8: TRY BRISBANE BRONCOS
Scored by Corey Oates. Kick to come.
Some bruising defence from the Cowboys forced the Broncos to go wide. Adam Blair started it with the offload, Corey Oates finished it galloping away despite the Thurston chase.
8: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION BRISBANE BRONCOS
Conversion attempt by Corey Parker successful.
An easier assignment for Parker second up, and it delivers the same result. Two points.
10: UNFORCED ERROR BRISBANE BRONCOS
Matt Gillett makes an unforced error.
Oh dear. All the good effort undone with a slight bobble from Gillett.
11: TRY NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Scored by Justin O'Neill. Kick to come.
Scrum play! Granville poked through from the scrum and found O'Neill inside to slide over.
11: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Conversion attempt by Johnathan Thurston successful.
Thurston reduces it with two after a gimme conversion.
13: TRY-SAVER from Corey Oates! Broncos failed to catch the bomb and Cowboys swung it wide, before Oates drove Feldt into touch.
19: UNFORCED ERROR BRISBANE BRONCOS
Ben Hunt makes an unforced error.
Broncos drop it deep into the attacking zone.
24: A second PENALTY of the evening for the Cowboys
25: SIX MORE.. Thurston's stab kick was repelled back to him.
25: TRY NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Scored by James Tamou. Kick to come.
They were close on the previous tackle through Ben Hannant. Next tackle they spun it to Tamou, who shrugged off a defender to cross.
26: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Conversion attempt by Johnathan Thurston successful.
JT2 scored. Now it's JT1, the original to kick the goal and promptly does so.
30: UNFORCED ERROR NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Michael Morgan makes an unforced error.
A big chance upcoming for the Broncos. Morgan knocked on the last tackle kick.
31: PENALTY for the Broncos. A whole set on the Cowboys line now.
34: VIDEO REFEREE: We are going upstairs for the first time tonight. Jack Reed crossed, we're checking the knock on.
34: TRY BRISBANE BRONCOS
Scored by Jack Reed. Kick to come.
GREEN LIGHTS..TRY! No strip on Thurston, Gillett broke through before handing off to Reed to finish it off.
36: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION BRISBANE BRONCOS
Conversion attempt by Jordan Kahu successful.
Kahu converts for the first time tonight.
40: HALF-TIME! It was a frenetic half inwhich Broncos lead narrowly 14-12.
41: KICK-OFF! The second half is go!
42: PENALTY Broncos! Thurston's kick was played at and taken in an offside position.
43: PENALTY Broncos. They are taking the two again..
45: SUCCESSFUL PENALTY GOAL BRISBANE BRONCOS
Penalty goal attempt by Jordan Kahu successful.
He sneaks it inside. Broncos go four ahead.
48: One-on-one steal! Broncos ball!
49: SIX MORE Broncos! Milford almost spied an opening.
54: UNFORCED ERROR BRISBANE BRONCOS
Jordan Kahu makes an unforced error.
Jordan Kahu tries to leap for the ball but spills it right into Morgan.
56: A frantic last tackle option gifted Cowboys a repeat set.
56: or not.. O'Neill on replay called to have spilled it. Twenty metre tap.
58: Early tackle kick from Thurston forces the repeat set.
60: SIX MORE.. Cowboys pounding the line.
61: UNFORCED ERROR NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Matthew Scott makes an unforced error.
He was through the line, and could spy the line but couldn't take the pass.
63: UNFORCED ERROR BRISBANE BRONCOS
Sam Thaiday makes an unforced error.
Thaiday tried to offload but spilled it.
64: VIDEO REFEREE: Coote is over. Checking double movement.
64: RED LIGHTS.. NO TRY! Coote stretched out, from instinct. It was a double movement. PENALTY Broncos.
66: PENALTY Cowboys! Prime attacking opportunity.
67: SIX MORE.. Cowboys again in the red zone.
67: UNFORCED ERROR NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Justin O'Neill makes an unforced error.
Thurston tries to swing it left but O'Neill bobbles it.
69: Uh oh! Big moment. Kyle Feldt couldn't handle the bobbling ball and is taken in goal.
70: UNFORCED ERROR BRISBANE BRONCOS
Corey Oates makes an unforced error.
Broncos tried to swing it left. Oates had it tunnel ball through his legs for the error.
77: Milford with ANOTHER one on one strip!
78: PENALTY Cowboys! Linnett taken above the horizontal.
80: VIDEO REFEEREE: Feldt in the corner!!
80: TRY NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Scored by Kyle Feldt. Kick to come.
GREEN LIGHTS TRY! Feldt scored it after some mayhem in the last tackle.
80: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Conversion attempt by Johnathan Thurston unsuccessful.
Thurston, 16 all! He has a kick to win it.. He strolls in.. lines it up once.. twice.. moves the tee. Thurston places it on the tee.. 21 metres out... from the sideline.. walks in.. game on the line.. and HITS THE POST!
81: Cowboys kick-off! Here we go! KNOCK ON FROM KICK-OFF!
81: UNFORCED ERROR BRISBANE BRONCOS
Ben Hunt makes an unforced error.
Hunt knocked on from the kick-off!
83: SUCCESSFUL FIELD GOAL NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Field goal attempt by Johnathan Thurston successful.
Thurston rushed on the scrum play.. they continue and on fourth.. they got it to him AND HE KICKS IT! NORTH QUEENSLAND ARE CHAMPIONS.