Rugby league has its first all-Queensland grand final after North Queensland, led by Johnathan Thurston and Michael Morgan, defeated Melbourne 32-12 in the second preliminary final.
The Cowboys led 16-12 at halftime and two tries to Morgan in three minutes midway through the second half paved the way to victory for the visitors at AAMI Park on Saturday night, before a record Storm crowd of 29,315.
2015 NRL GRAND FINAL KICKOFF TIME
North Queensland will now meet Brisbane in next Sunday’s grand final at ANZ Stadium in Sydney.
Thurston was taken off by Cowboys coach Paul Green with 10 minutes to go, as he battles an ongoing groin injury. But Thurston downplayed the complaint.
“It’s just a little bit of a cork to the groin, nothing too serious,” he told broadcaster the Nine Network.
“It’s good to see two Queensland sides there at the big dance. They (Brisbane) were impressive last night (in beating Sydney Roosters), we will have to play our best football to beat them.”
Morgan streeted away down the short side in the 54th minute to put the Cowboys ahead 20-12, following an incident in which Melbourne winger Marika Koroibete was sin binned for punching Kyle Feldt.
With Koroibete in the bin, Morgan scored minutes later when Gavin Cooper picked up a Ben Hannant chargedown and dished off the Steeden to the Queensland utility who carried 50m to score.
Cooper then scored from a Thurston short ball with 10 minutes to go to put the result beyond doubt.
The Cowboys were simply too good for the Storm, dominating them up front on the back of James Tamou’s and Matt Scott’s continuous surges forward with the ball, allowing Thurston and Morgan to take control of the fixture.
A Cooper try just before the break put Melbourne on the back foot and they lost their way in the second half, illustrated by a number of disorganised last tackle options.
However, the home side did start well.
Cronk drew first blood for the Storm when he brushed past Thurston and Lachlan Coote in the 10th minute from close to the Cowboys’ try line.
But Thurston hit back four minutes later when he grubbered for O’Neil’s first try, but missed the gettable conversion.
Thurston then put O’Neill over seven minutes later as the Cowboys hit the lead for the first time in the match.
In an entertaining opening half, Melbourne then surged ahead when Tohu Harris crashed over on the Storm right side. Smith’s second conversion put his side ahead 12-10.
But a Matt Duffie clanger handed the visitors a halftime lead. The Storm left winger’s air swing at a Thurston cross-kick gifted Gavin Cooper a 40th minute put-down. Thurston’s conversion put the Cowboys ahead 16-12 at the break.
pete bloor
Guest
In theory he isn't any closer than he was before other grand finals (quality of teams aside).
pete bloor
Guest
I think you need to find out what the word consensus means as I would bet against any of the possible 4 combinations achieving a true consensus view.
pete bloor
Guest
Yep I see your point being the majority pick in the expert tipping comp and the pick in several of the expert articles it was a condemnation of your team’s foot balling ability. I mean sure every single team had many comments saying how they couldn’t win (imagine that opposition fans thinking their team would win – the absolute hide of them) but then you must have been confused and thought there was no premiership being handed out given you need unanimous support. After all there was only article after article saying these X number of teams could win it that religiously included the cowboys and broncos. I look forward to the same faux outrage articles this week as with two teams left I’m sure there is at least one person in the country that think the team which eventually loses were going to be the winner.
Ken
Guest
What's been wrong the last 9 seasons Ernesto? I suppose you were all over the fact that QLD were so awful they had 3 teams in the comp but couldn't even get one in the GF, yet alone a winner. The amusing thing is that most of NSW doesn't actually care, most would prefer the Cowboys to win than any Sydney team apart from their own (Bronco's not so much, their previous success and 'Oh Gee, what did we do with all that money?' makes them as unpopular as anyone else)
Ken
Guest
Geez if even born and bred Broncos fans would be thrilled at the opposition winning I think Worlds Biggest's point is made!
Ken
Guest
The pressure and expectation that they've handled all year is not the same as on GF day. They're unknown quantities on that sort of stage, so it's a question mark. If they handle it well people won't ask the question again.
Ken
Guest
You thought they were the best team after round 5? When they were 2-3 after being thrashed by the Roosters and Broncos? You are a very perceptive man. No doubt they've been in the mix since that point though and I agree completely they've raised their game in the last couple of weeks. My money is on Brisbane, although I'd much rather the Cowboys, but it should be a great match regardless.
pete bloor
Guest
Check the tipping
PNG Bronco fan#88
Guest
Haha good one...more like the pressure on Morgan now.
pat malone
Guest
whatever- lose the mentaility
pat malone
Guest
i dont think anyone was picking the storm. check the odds, the broncos were favourites. good old QLD mentality
Samtwocan
Guest
The past is just that and doesn't necessarily give you the ability to predict the future . In theory Bennett is closer to a grand final loss. Gotta feel for Hindy if JT pulls it off , he'll never hear the end of it .
up in the north
Roar Rookie
Good on you sammytwocan. This is indeed a battle of the coaches and while uncle Wayne has got a track record to be envied that doesn't mean that the little dog doesn't bring something to the fight. We've known for years that the Cowbies have underachieved -on paper- but since Greene got on the scene they have risen to their potential. All down to the coach. In this coming game the mantra of what's worked in the past will work in the future probably holds true. The reality is that the Cowbies are a better team.
Samtwocan
Guest
I think coaches get teams to grand finals and win them . Green has really confirmed his status this year but I think the old fox will have the Broncos up for this . Having said that I'd prefer to see JT hold up the shield . And I thought it would be Roosters V Dogs . I'm wondering what all the RORTERS conspiracy theory mob make of this .
jimmy
Guest
Hi Rellum It ilwas a fantastic game especially under the conditions on the day. I am a Cowboys fan but I found myself cheering for the Jets. They are sensational. They didn't change their Game plan one bit even though the rain was coming down. Now that is true belief in your system. Queensland rugby league is in a great place. Thr Jets and the Cowboys show us what the game should be. All is well in the world.
jimmy
Guest
Thanks mate it should be a belter.
Brett
Guest
JT has been off his goal kicking game lately, but his fan conversion rate is through the roof.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I thought it was going to be a Roosters v Storm GF. The Broncs and Cowboys dominated their games and thoroughly deserve their GF appearance. They both did it in style and it should be a great game.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
Definitely good times for footy in the north. The pathways program that the club is involved with is going to provide a strong stream of talent coming into the NRL, not just a bonus for the Cowbies either. We can't keep them all and eventually some kids are going to have to move away but at least they will have been exposed to good systems and the change shouldn't be too hard for them. A rosy future.
Rellum
Roar Guru
What a cracking game the QRL grand final is. Ipswich up at half time.