It was a relief for all the Cowboys fans to see North Queensland defeat the Broncos for the first time in four years at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.
The worrying signs were clear early when debutant Jack Reed dived in for the first try, but a nice try to James Tamou saw the Cowboys take the lead 6-4.
The Cowboys were up again when Michael Bani got a great ball from Gavin Cooper to make 12-4, before a half-time try to Will Tupou saw the Cowboys with a comfortable 12-point lead over their interstate rivals.
A try to Jharl Yow Yeh kept the intensity high, and then in the dying minutes, three consecutive sets to Broncos inside the Cowboys 10m line gave them a four-pointer when Dane Gagai scored.
Corey Parker had to make the kick to level the scores but missed it to make the final three minutes edge-of-the-seat stuff.
Thurston stripped it off Sam Thaiday to retain the ball back for the Cowboys, but a few plays later saw Tupou drop it 20m out from the line in the dummy-half position.
The Cowboys were short on the left and a little grubber-kick through almost saw the Broncos score untiol Ash Graham had enough pace to get there.
The drop-out reduced the time, and in the end, the Broncos ran out of time, giving the Cowboys an emphatic victory 16-14.
Good:
What the Cowboys did well was their tackling.
Bad:
Metres gained is still a problem. This is where they were put under pressure when they were still deep in their territory on the fifth tackle.
The Player:
Johnathan Thurston. No surprise. He was everywhere and he needed to be, because without him, it would have been a humiliation.
kerapp
Guest
A win over the Broncs on their home turf is usually worth more than the 2 points collected as it means you've 'beaten' a very large pro-Bronco crowd as well. What did they get there ...... 45 thousand?? A big gathering and 90% Broncos I'd say.
Crazy Dave
Guest
Locky copped a head knock in the first few minutes... and the Broncos young guns tried to step up but didn't have the experience... Not blaming this loss on Locky, he is an absolute champion and did nothing wrong, but if he hadn't copped the head knock the result would have been different. Having said that, although this was a loss, there was a lot to like for Broncos fans. Two internationals out through injury and we only lost by 2 points. And our two debutants scored a try each. One loss doesn't mean the season is gone. Just like one win doesn't mean the Cowboys are in the GF. I don't think either team played well enough to back up a claim to be a frontrunner this seaon. Both teams need to improve big time if they want to challenge those Bloody Dragons and the other top teams!
fred
Guest
The Broncs were woeful and the cows not much better. Look like neither of them will be making the 8 this year.
NF
Guest
Why do I have this gut feeling the Sharks might win now, I tip the Raiders from the get go but I'm little nervous now.
therookie
Roar Pro
Dugan and Orford out for Sharkies clash! The should make the game more interesting
NF
Guest
I have a feeling KFL will be coming in sooner than later along with Tariq who I think will play next week due to Bolton's injury.
GC Bulletin
Guest
Why not play Kai Fai Loa then?
therookie
Roar Pro
Bani's always the weakest Cowboy, the young guns such as Tupou, Tamou and Thompson, played well but I think Tamou was the best of the lot. He scored a try and was tremendous in defence, while Thompson made a lot of errors. Tupou made absolute silly errors eg: Penalty in the 1st minute and dummy-half knock-on in the dying minutes of the game. Ashton Sims was the best of the forwards, made truck loads of tackles and some of those tackles were great hits
GC Bulletin
Guest
Agreed Cowboys defence was better and Thurston played the game of two men. Thankfully, as the rest was bloody ordinary....they just seemed to be making it up as they went along. And Thompson and Bani....Boooooooor. Hope they get some confidence from the win though
sambaker
Roar Rookie
Really hopeful about the Cowboys young guns, especially Ray Thompson. This guy has enormous potential, and if he reaches it, the combination of Thurston and Bowen will only get stronger with his addition. The best thing is he is a local product. Bani won't be in the side much longer, if he's not replaced (probably send Topou on the wing and Ben Jones in centre, put Fai Fai Loa on the bench), then he will be out in round 6 when Winterstein returns. News reports are saying Dallas Johnson was just cramping up, so that is good news. I really feel the Cowboy's have turned a corner, and will start to become a premiership force over the next few years.
NF
Guest
Considering the Cowboys had to constantly defend set after set the Boys were out on there feet but they hang in there hopefully Bolton's injury is a minor one same with Scott & Johnson. Bani also needs to realize what a sideline is he was the weak link of the Cowboys and was exploited by Broncos and future teams in the future if he kept on getting picked.
therookie
Roar Pro
yeh but a few minor injuries. I saw last night Scott Bolton limping off the field, Vossy said before the full-time buzzer that Johnson was finding it hard to walk. Scotty also felt a slight pain, but no concerns hopefully. Bowen how about his chip over Hoffman that should of been awarded 9 times out of ten
NF
Guest
good game to see the Boys firing again, Dallas Johnson is one of the best buys for the Cowboys ever he's a tackling machine something severely lacking last year the younger players were good but still have time to develop so the potential is there. JT+Mango is clicking fantastic the Broncos provided alot of the best unintentional comedy with the self-falcon by Andrew McCollough and other errors.
oikee
Guest
The Horses were a bit wooden last nite. I thought the young guns might struggle. But Thurston, this guy is on another planet. Yes good to see mango back. Good game.
db swannie
Guest
Was there ..great game .... Good to see the JT/Mango combo working brilliantly again.
Sam el Perro
Guest
Agreed about JT. Awesome effort last night.