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Cowboys trump Broncos with golden-point Thurston field goal

Kyle Feldt of the Cowboys celebrates scoring a try during the NRL Grand Final. (AAP Image/Dean Lewins)
4th October, 2015
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The North Queensland Cowboys have triumphed over the Brisbane Broncos thanks to a golden-point field goal from Johnathan Thurston in one of the most memorable NRL grand finals of all time.

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The Cowboys were down 12-16 in the final minutes of the game and looked to be out of chances before Kyle Feldt scored a try in the final seconds of the half to put scores level at 16-16.

Johnathan Thurston then lined up for what might have been the most important kick of his career if not for what was to come. He ultimately failed to convert, with the ball curling back in typical fashion, but not quite enough, striking the metalwork.

The miss saw the game head into over-time for the first time in NRL grand final history, only for Ben Hunt to spill Feldt’s kick-off at the start of extra time.

The Broncos defence was resolute in the ensuing set, but four tackles later Thurston again found the ball in his hands and had the space to take a shot.

This time, he didn’t disappoint, sending the ball through for the only field goal of the night to claim the Cowboys’ first premiership.

Scoring started in the fifth minute when Brisbane’s Corey Parker converted a penalty goal after the Cowboys stayed too long in the tackle.

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Corey Oates scored the first try of the game, and Parker’s conversion put the Broncos up 8-0 in the seventh minute.

The Cowboys were quick to respond, finding a try through Justin O’Neill in the 10th minute. Thurston converted to bring the score to 8-6.

The Cowboys then led for the first time in the 25th minute after a try from James Tamou and another successful conversion from Thurston.

However, the Broncos took back the lead before halftime with a big run from Matt Gillett leading to a try for Jack Reed in the 34th minute.

Jordan Kahu’s conversion saw the Broncos enter halftime with a 14-12 advantage.

The second half was quieter in terms of scoring, with a Kahu penalty goal giving the Broncos a 16-12 advantage that looked like carrying them home.

However the Cowboys got one last chance in the dying seconds as a Michael Morgan flick pass found Feldt, who scored the equaliser, and the rest was history.

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Thurston won the Clive Churchill Medal as the best on ground in the Cowboys’ 17-16 premiership win.

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