- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
As a full fledged Cowboys supporter since 1999, I thought I had seen everything. I really thought that I would never see another final be taken away from the Cowboys in such controversial circumstances.
How wrong could I have been.
At 30-0 to the Roosters I thought the game was pretty much gone. I still had some hope but I thought that if the Roosters went on to win the game as least we had been beaten fair and square.
At 30-30 I couldn’t even speak. I was so proud that my team were showing the never die attitude that characterises Queensland teams. However, there was this nagging feeling. A feeling that those in control of the game would some how take it away from us.
When Sonny Bill Williams dropped the ball and the Cowboys were penalised I shook my head. But I thought North Queensland could still recover from that. Then Williams went over the line and a Badger called try from 10 metres behind the play (when he was clearly held up).
Worry started to creep in. Would this be it? I was thoroughly relieved after the video ref correctly awarded no try. The Cowboys had stopped the Roosters’ momentum and we were going to get the ball back because he had dropped it.
But no. Somehow he was allowed to play the ball. I still hadn’t written the Cowboys off when James Maloney slotted what would end up being the winning point. We still had a chance with four minutes to play.
Even when Michael Morgan, who had a night to forget, went short I could still feel something was going to happen. A minute later it did. My prayers had been answered as I could see that Johnathan Thurston had scored the winning try and the most miraculous comeback had been completed.
Everything that had gone on in the past was forgotten, finally justice had been served. Then the dream turned into a nightmare. I was witnessing the linesman’s call from hell. I could not believe my eyes, it was happening all over again. I went from the highest of highs to the lowest pit of despair in seconds. I don’t know how my TV survived. The video refs were once again going to take the game from us.
Forget the Sharks last year and Manly the year before, this had taken the cake.
Debate it all you like, if they had called it a try and gone to the video ref it would have been awarded. But, no, the hand reaching for the chicken was being slapped and my dog was running for cover as the expletives fired from my mouth with more ferocity there ever before.
I still can’t find my beer. It was at this point I wished the Roosters had flogged us and gone on with the job. But no. With the dismal crowd in attendance and the most bias commentary I have ever heard, I should have known it was coming. But I honestly thought my team would get a fair go this time.
Alas, I was wrong. Again. The Sydney team had controversially progressed and the Cowboys had be dudded. Again.
So what is the answer to this? I really don’t know. Super League 2.0 maybe? Will it happen again? While the NRL panders to the Sydney public that don’t show up to the games, most probably. Something has to change and maybe this will be the catalyst, but history says nothing will.
Would I support a breakaway comp? Most definitely. Base it in Queensland where supporters actually go to the games and let NSW have their own competition. Rugby league has such potential in this country, but while this keeps happening it will never reach the heights it should.
I really feel for the players right now. They must be wondering what they have done to deserve this. The answer is they play for a team in the wrong state. Disillusioned doesn’t really cover it.
If rugby union were to offer Thurston a contract right now, he would take it in a heartbeat and no-one up here would blame him. If he played for any other club he would have at least three premierships by now, but his loyalty looks like it will cost him any chance of that.
I won’t be watching the rest of the series, and I doubt any Queenslander will. Something has to change and fast. I wish I could be angry at the Roosters but all they did was play to whistle. They know they didn’t deserve to win but they hail from the right state. Onwards to the NRL’s dream qualifier they go.
Although I am angry right now, I love my club so much and am such a sucker for punishment that I will be once again taking the 800-kilometre round trip to go to games next year that costs me $500 a pop. I am hoping desperately that things will be different in 2015, that it will finally be our year. But deep down there will be this nagging feeling that it will be once again a bridge too far.
Please, NRL, NRL. For the love of the sport, please prove me wrong.
Reckon you can pick the winning team? Build your own dream team with Draftstars daily fantasy and compete on any match. For great odds on the NRL head on over to PlayUp. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.