The North Queensland Cowboys and Brisbane Broncos put their season and history on the line in tonight’s elimination final. Join The Roar from 7:55pm (AEST) for live coverage.
It all comes downs to this. The winner goes forth, while the loser heads home.
After six months of brutal competition the red-hot Cowboys will do the battle with the tenacious Broncos for Queensland bragging rights, and the right to continue in the 2014 finals.
Wind the clock back to February and these two teams put on a show in the inaugural final of the NRL Nines tournament. Tonight’s match promises to be no less spectacular, even with the addition of eight extra players on the field.
The Cowboys come in on a winning streak that has included victories over premiership heavyweights South Sydney and Manly, and an unconvincing performance against the Sharks, which was enough to see them finish the season in fifth position.
Meanwhile, the Broncos spent last weekend in footy limbo. A loss to the Storm meant that their destiny was out of their hands, but other results allowed them to finish in eighth spot.
Could this be Anthony Griffin’s last hurrah? There was a lot to like about his dignified response when it was confirmed that he would no longer be coaching the Broncos, and it could give his charges extra motivation.
Griffin has made several changes to the side that went down gallantly to the Storm.
Sam Thaiday returns from suspension and is a welcome inclusion in the back-row. Captain Corey Parker will shift from lock to front-row, with Ben Hannant dropping back to an extended bench, while Corey Oates will start at centre in place of the injured Jack Reed.
Cowboys coach Paul Green has named an unchanged side from the team that defeated Manly. It is a luxury that should play into his hands as the Cowboys have developed some impressive combinations over the past month.
Prediction
Tonight’s encounter is the third occasion the two sides have met in a finals campaign. The Cowboys won both previous meetings, in 2004 and 2012.
The men from Townsville will just be hoping the match isn’t decided by a refereeing blunder after being on the receiving end of some clangers in recent years.
Head-to-head, honours are fairly even between the two sides in recent years. The two clashed twice in 2014, with the Broncos winning the first meeting 16-12 in Round 2, while the Cowboys reverse the result with 27-14 victory in Round 9.
On paper the two teams are fairly equal. The Cowboys’ slight size advantage in the forwards are countered with the Broncos’ agility and ball skills. Ben Barba and Ben Hunt running onto an offload from Corey Parker against a tiring opposition could create havoc.
The Cowboys backline is littered with players who know how to find the tryline. Antonio Winterstein is one of the game’s best finishers and Kyle Feldt also knows how to get the ball down in a tight sport.
If they can get the lion’s share of possession, the Cowboys have a few more points in them than the Broncos.
Whatever the result this match promises to be something very special.
Zach
Guest
I'm an Aussie rules fan (Bombers) mostly, but I'm fascinated how the NRL can pay it's players, staff, stadiums etc, etc, etc, with money they get from the pitiful crowds they (don't) get to their matches. I clicked on a link saying that there was 28K to a Townsville game as the NRL seems to be extremely liberal when giving crowd numbers to their games. So, where's the video? Also, I read recently where the AFL gets about 38K average to their H&A games and the NRL around 26K. If the AFL doesn't get AT LEAST double the NRL crowds, then the ARL is taking it's fans and sponsors (tho I'm sure the sponsors would want justifiable figures) for a huge ride. Whenever I switch over to the an ARL match to see what the crowd is like, I'm just staggered at how small they are and how little noise they make compared to an AFL game. They (ARL) sound much more like a school sports carnival than a ballsy football crowd roar. To say they AVERAGE 28K a game is ridiculous. Apart from the odd Brisbane game, they rarely seem to get anywhere near 28K for any match, let alone average that.
steveng
Roar Rookie
That was a terrible call and the turning point of the game, if Hodges was allowed to play on it would have been a try to the Broncos. These referees are kidding, they continually call a "knock back" a "knock on" isn't a knock on when the ball is propelled forward? and that ball never went forward it was propelled backward? Terrible decision and the NRL should look closely to the "knock on" rule.
Scrubbit
Guest
I don't understand... It's unfair because rather than cowboys vs penrith it's cowboys vs roosters? How much more advantage can you possibly give the top two? Give them a ten point head start? Let them qualify for the GF automatically? When you lose you lose your advantage which is fair enough, however you're still given another home game. Maybe if Manly could get a decent stadium they'd get a better advantage. It's not like the NRL just brought this big stadium policy in.
xavialonso
Guest
Hodges has wasted his career in the centres. I'm just shaking my head thinking of what would've been had he played fullback for most it. He is one creative player that bloke.Shame we only see glimpses of it because he is holed up on one side of the field.
Planko
Guest
It looked really average...
Planko
Guest
I just hope Melbourne and the dogs beat each other to a standstill ....lol however I think my eagles are in deep ..
Existentialist
Guest
A devoted roar supporter who might have gotten blogs mixed up in his/her enthusiasm . Chill the F out Kris - sheesh! FYI - the world doesn't revolve around league (thank god!)
Dale
Guest
Cheap, late, high, no arms and designed to take Hodges out of gsme. Should have gone to bin.
Renegade
Guest
he edited it after my comment muppet.... look at the fulltime post below.
Roarsome
Guest
The losers get home ground advantage the following week, They should face a lower placed team also. Cowboys win, face the minor premiers away. Hardly seems fair. This system doesn't favour the top 2 teams efforts over the season, especially if you're from Manly.
Rasputin
Guest
Probably a manly supporter
djcooper
Roar Guru
Haha I feel the same way planko. What's the bet Hargreaves escapes suspension and sims gets rubbed out.
Planko
Guest
What was funny DJ listening Wally back pedal cause he took his broncos hat off ...
Rasputin
Guest
Cheers mate!
Rasputin
Guest
Thanks Liam for a great show. Cowboys deserved that win. Broncos did well to assist . wish them good luck next year. Go JT, get us a premiership!
Scrubbit
Guest
It looks pretty bad. Though given recent rulings I wouldn't be surprised if he got nothing. Although he does play for NQ sooo....
Scrubbit
Guest
I never understood why people think the losing team should get a greater advantage. If Penrith lost cowbies would be playing the lowest ranked in the top four, but the roosters blew it.
Liam Howitt
Roar Guru
Thanks to everyone for joining The Roar's Live Blog tonight. The footy action doesn't stop tonight. Tomorrow afternoon the Storm take on the Bulldogs in the 2nd elimination final. Just recapping the score North Queensland 32 (Cooper 2, Linnett, Lui, Morgan tries: Thurston 5 goals, Thurston penalty goal) Brisbane Broncos 20 (Kahu 2, Barba, Vidot tries: Parker 2 goals) Enjoy the rest of your evening.
djcooper
Roar Guru
I must be the only one thinking it wasn't that bad because my mates are into me aswell.
Kris
Guest
Why is there a guy commenting about Union on here. No one cares Rugbynred