North Queensland’s 11-game winning streak ended in spectacular fashion on Saturday as the NRL’s comeback kings surrendered an 18-point lead to lose 24-18 to Cronulla in Townsville.
The Cowboys went into the match without co-captain Johnathan Thurston, who was rested by coach Paul Green due to his State of Origin exertions, but they were undiminished and raced out to an 18-0 halftime lead.
Still, the Sharks refused to hoist the white flag and piled on 24 unanswered points for a stunning second-half turnaround.
The Sharks, missing captain Paul Gallen to a rib injury, were dreadful in the first half, conceding eight errors and four penalties while lacking any enthusiasm or intensity.
Cowboys hooker Jake Granville capitalised in the 13th minute, slicing through some threadbare defence to run 55 metres and touch down.
Michael Morgan split the right edge to put Justin O’Neill over after 18 minutes and a blowout looked on the cards when Antonio Winterstein crossed in the 27th minute.
But whatever coach Shane Flanagan said in the sheds stung the Sharks into action.
They were gifted three consecutive penalties to open the second term, which allowed Luke Lewis the opportunity to cross, and Michael Gordon’s conversion pegged the difference back to 12.
Granville was then put on report for a seemingly innocuous tackle on Sharks winger Sosaia Feki, with the ensuing penalty again giving Cronulla valuable field position.
Sam Tagatese made the most of it, crossing next to the sticks in the 48th minute to present Gordon with a straightforward conversion.
Valentine Holmes jinked and sliced his way 70 metres upfield to give the Sharks a platform from which Andrew Fifita slammed the ball down in the 62nd minute before Gordon converted to lock up the scores.
Then Ricky Leutele scored what turned out to be the match-winner in the 66th minute.
Three players were placed on report, with Sharks duo Matt Prior and Michael Ennis joining Granville.
Phill
Guest
Their line speed defence on their try line was shocking and Ennis took full advantage laying on 3 try's, one out from hooker, it was Cooper that was slow to get out on Fafita, Fafita will get the weight advantage on Coops any day that close to the line. Also Coote was obstructed which wasn't picked up by refs, surprise .... surprise. http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/o568/Joel_Rigiby/obstruction_zps7fuufipj.jpg Lost purely on bad options, Coote not complaining to the Ref about the obstruction and his clean up work in that final try. And a lot of handling mistakes, and a few last option plays that saw the Sharks gain the ball at their end in clear space to run the ball down the other resulting in trys. They are looking at Morgan for SOO3 so I can't think his shoulder is any problem. They have a bye after Origin so our origin players get the following week off to come back rested.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Crucial moment in the game was Justin O'Neil getting run down...I think if he had just gone for the line he would have got there. Seems to have lost a bit of his self belief. At 18-0 halftime I pretty much thought it was game over but Sharks seem to be the comeback kings over the last few years.
The eye
Guest
I'm stating what must have been clear and obvious to even you Phill..Morgan's shoulder is a major issue ,notice what happened when Fifita went thru,and Scott's back is significantly restricting him..with SOO in 10 days they are going to come back hammered..Granville is killing himself with the pace and power of his game..there are still 10 more weeks to the finals..it may look all roses and chocolates but to think you lost that game purely on bad options is setting yourself up for a bigger fall than last year and the year before that..
Phill
Guest
JTT Lowe has done this before with a result of a try.
Phill
Guest
lol@TheEye, wouldn't know a football if it hit him in the head ... only fantasy around here is from TheEye wishful thinking lol. Good continued learning curve for Morgan as to what is important as a chief play maker. The mail is still out whether he can step up. Green needs to tidy up Tamou's game, aggression is not pushing people after you have been tackled and played the ball, he has been doing this in Origin 1 & Origin 2 and not getting penalised for it. Green has to get the NSW grubby tactics out of his game and concentrate on old school aggression of just hard ball running and work rate tackling. As said, the cows lost that game through bad options on fith tackles and handling errors with only 50% set finishes in the second half. The cows have "never" had such a start to the season, and we all know they click another gear after origin.
Bulldog
Guest
Round 17 = Origin time so no surprises. They had dragons last year with all players out and should have won so not a definite loss but will be a tough assignment.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
Not really irritable as much as just a cranky person When faced with an assumption that I don't agree with. Look the Cowbies aren't cooked yet - not by a long shot, the fact they blew a solid lead speaks more to their commitment than to the absence of JT, something that Greeny will be filthy about I'm sure. I don't expect them to lose every game from here on out, thus consigning them to a Finals free fantasy, such talk is surely fantastic.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Cowboys will be fine.... Tamou and Taumalolo were strong, Scott spent a bit of time off the field, Granville was very good..... they just came up against a very committed side after having not tasted defeat for 3 months. When the Sharks forward pack lifts in intensity, there isn't another pack that can match their level...... that's what happened last night. They came out firing in the second half and absolutely dominated the contest and the cowboys just didn't know what to do.... Flanno would want to bottle that 30 minutes and turn it into 80 minutes every week going forward.
Squidward
Roar Rookie
Then again no Gallen in the Sharks team. Both lost their courageous captains
Phill
Guest
They had a great game without Thurston, were so far in front at half time they didn't show up in the second and Guppies given weak consecutive penalties in the second half to get them back into the game. Fafita brothers could have been penalised multiple times from lying all over the ruck but no green for the cows. If they took the second as seriously as the first they would have flogged the guppies without Thurston, and the end of the first half it was looking embarrassing for the guppies .... Patrick Kaufusi first game in NRL for Cows Cameron Kings second for Cows A huge amount to take out of the game for the Cows, as will be next week against the Dragons. We can still afford to loose against the Dragons next week and keep outright second place. These 2 games are like training runs for Granville Coote and Morgan to improve their individual performances. I now believe Green positioning of Kostjasyn at half to kill the position into an extra defensive in the middle edge and put as much pressure / workload on Granville, Coote and Morgan to improve their skills with the team for the second half of the season.
Justthetip
Guest
That's perfect because the cows have an easier run home and they need to harden up when there being pumped. Ethan Lowes grubber wasn't a happy moment for me. I'm glad he was confident enough to not just throw a quick stupid pass but he held onto the ball for 4 secs too long and took the grubber himself when he should have passed to coote earlier. That's definitely not playing the percentage at a crucial moment. We need a few lessons on mental discipline and I'm glad it's now and not 2 weeks before the finals. Niggling injuries will be better in a few weeks and we have a bye.
The eye
Guest
Can understand your irritability,not even an atom of positivity for cowboys from that game.. Final Fantasy..
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Forward pack and the insertion of Barba to provide the zip(for the 2nd occasion) did the trick.Muscled up in ten 2nd half,and hunted as a pack/ Backs meantime need to tighten their defence,especially letting in those early long range tries. By golly,if they beat the Sea Eagles or at least get a close game,Remondis will be packed to the rafters against the Dragons,the following week..
Renegade
Roar Guru
Cowboys will be fine.... Tamou and Taumalolo were great - Scott got injured, Granville was good..... They just came up against a very committed side in the second. When the Sharks pack lift their intensity, I don't think there's another side in the comp that can match their levels.... That's what happened last night. 30 minute domination in the second half.... If only Flanno could bottle it and they could do it for 80 minutes every week.
Jay C
Roar Guru
haha.
SpongeBob
Guest
Certainly does not help the "no JT no win" cause.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
Gee whizz aren't you the paragon of positivity.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
Interesting statistic.
The eye
Guest
Cowboys might be dusted..Morgan is really hurting,Scott is busted bad..Taumalolos gone all soft and cuddly..Tamous hot and cold..and wouldnt be surprised if Granville seriously injures himself as a result of his own hardness..dunno if JT can carry them for much longer..
Jay C
Roar Guru
Cowboys deserved to lose that one. They had plenty of opportunities at the end of the game. there was a set of six where Taumololo and Lowe both kicked grubbers. Pathetic. In all reality though, Thurston plays, Cows win. sharks are looking the only team capable of upsetting the current top 8. Dragons and Storm vulnerable.