Cowboys beat Broncos 33-16
The Cowboys are celebrating a convincing finals win over the Broncos (AAP Image/Action Photographics, Colin Whelan).
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A pat on the back from teammate Justin Hodges signalled the end had come for Petero Civoniceva.
As North Queensland put the finishing touches on their impressive 33-16 NRL elimination final victory in Townsville on Saturday night, Hodges turned to his old friend with a bittersweet smile.
The Broncos never gave up but in the dying moments Civoniceva and his old mate Hodges knew it was all over.
“I just said ‘thanks for everything’, I have some great memories with this side,” Civoniceva said.
“When I get home and unpack the football bag for the last time no doubt it will be emotional.
“But all I can do is be grateful for my career. I did what I wanted to do when I was a kid – to be here 15 years later I feel very lucky.”
In 2004 in a steamy Townsville, North Queensland abruptly drew the curtain on Broncos forward Gorden Tallis’ NRL career in the teams’ only previous finals clash.
Eight years later, the Cowboys again showed little sentiment for another Brisbane great as Civoniceva’s 309-game career came to a shuddering halt thanks to the five tries to three win, including a hat-trick to halfback Michael Morgan.
Indeed not much went to plan for retiring stalwarts.
Cowboys veteran Aaron Payne may have played his last game after limping off in the 11th minute with what appears to be a serious knee injury.
The eighth-placed Broncos were desperate to dig deep to try and add another chapter to the already amazing resume of 36-year-old Civoniceva, Australia’s most capped forward with 46 Tests and 22 Origins for Queensland.
“It’s a disappointing way to send him out, it’s a bit heartbreaking, eh,” Broncos skipper Sam Thaiday said.
“He has done a lot for the game of rugby league – he will leave a gap in our team but I am impressed with the blokes coming through.”
Retirements might have dominated the pre-match talk but the limelight was quickly stolen by North Queensland livewire fullback Matt Bowen in his 250th NRL game.
He latched onto a miracle Ash Graham pass to score the opening try in the fourth minute before bringing the 21,307-strong crowd to their feet to set up another for centre Brent Tate in a spectacular 85m second half effort.
“Every second weekend my mum and dad come down from Hope Vale but this time there was a truck load – I don’t know where everyone will be sleeping tonight,” Bowen laughed.
It marked the fifth straight win for the Cowboys who have booked a Friday night showdown with defending premiers Manly, who thrashed them 42-8 in last year’s finals opening round.
© AAP 2013
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The Crowd Says (4) | Page 1 of Comments
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- Brisbane Broncos, North Queensland Cowboys, NRL, Rugby League
September 9th 2012 @ 7:20am
Don Marl said | September 9th 2012 @ 7:20am | Report comment
There is a certain perverse sense of pleasure at seeing the Broncos exit from the finals early in the count. Its not that I dislike the Broncos, they are a fine team but it is something about supporting the underdog and liking to see a different face in the GF. That said, the cowboys have some hard yards ahead of them yet. Manly won’t roll over, they will be boiling at losing to the dogs the way they did and this will be a brutal encounter. Following that its the Storm, and a different kind of game but no less debilitating. And if they do get to the big one still in one piece, they will need sufficient fuel in the tank to take on (presumably) the doggies. Lot of hard yards there I think.
September 9th 2012 @ 8:29am
steve b said | September 9th 2012 @ 8:29am | Report comment
The Bronco’s had no answer to the Cowboys ad lib style play last night the Bronco’s looked like they might make a run for it in the second half when the Cowboys seemed to taking the foot of the pedal but just wasn’t to be ..However the Cowboys will have to play for 80 minutes next week against Manly or they will pay ..And i don’t think they will have the same luck with kicks with Stewart being in top form but it will be a top game and i’m hoping for a Cowboys win ..
September 9th 2012 @ 1:33pm
Steve Merry said | September 9th 2012 @ 1:33pm | Report comment
Me too, I have had enough of Manly in the finals. Would be good to see the cows win that one.
September 9th 2012 @ 4:06pm
Andy said | September 9th 2012 @ 4:06pm | Report comment
I wonder what oikee thinks about that. Good win by the Cowboys.