Melbourne Storm 12
North Queensland Cowboys 32
The North Queensland Cowboys have joined the Brisbane Broncos in booking their place for the now all Queensland 2015 NRL Grand Final after a commanding and dominating 20 point victory over the Melbourne Storm.
2015 NRL GRAND FINAL KICKOFF TIME
In an exceptionally high quality game of rugby league for the most part, the Cowboys dominated right throughout with the exception of a small period in the first half where the Storm turned up the heat and made the Cowboys really work hard to stay in the game.
Right from the gun though, The Cowboys looked the better side. Their creative combination and the other big three in the NRL of Johnathan Thurston, Michael Morgan and Lachlan Coote turned on an absolute master class, one that the Storm couldn’t stop or do anything about as shown by the final score.
At times, it did seem the Cowboys were a little indecisive in attack however, they stuck out any tough periods and came up with the goods.
The Storm, by no stretch of the imagination played poorly tonight. Elements of their game certainly let them down and Cooper Cronk was no where near his normal self, particularly when it came to his kicking game. The first half though, was one of the best you are likely to see and as such it was close at the break.
The Storm’s best player by the length of the straight was Cameron Munster who made nearly 30 runs and looked dangerous every time he touched the ball while he hardly made a mistake at the back.
Where the Cowboys really won it though was their dominance in the forwards. Led by Matt Scott, Jason Taumalolo and Jason Tamou and eventually backed up from the bench by Scott Bolton and Ben Hannant they out muscled the Storm’s forwards for the most part which made things easy for Thurston, Mogran and Coote.
The scoring opened up in the 9th minute with Cooper Cronk crossing off a Cameron Smith pass, and a step that fooled both Thurston and Coote in defence. After dominating the first 10 minutes, the Cowboys would have been feeling worried letting in a try on basically the Storm’s first romp down the field.
The Cowboys would bounce back five minutes later through Justin O’Neill off a perfectly executed Thurston grubber which drew in the defenders and he was able to just drop it behind the line.
Justin O’Neill grabbed a double just six minutes later with a beautiful flat pass from Thurston putting him through a hole.
The Storm hit back and got the lead back through Tohu Harris with just five minutes to go in the first half off a perfect short ball from Cooper Cronk.
However, the Cowboys landed a huge blow on the stroke of half time with Gavin Cooper scoring out wide off a Johnathan Thurston kick that was flat and fast and left Matt Duffie completely outnumbered.
At half time, the Cowboys held a four point advantage and while they were on top of the game, certainly weren’t totally dominating the game.
After the break, the game went back and forth for quite a while and the longer it went on the more you felt that the Storm had to be the first to score if they were going to stay in the game, however it just wasn’t to be.
In the 54th minute though, the game erupted with a try in the right hand corner to Michael Morgan and a sin bin to Storm winger Marika Koroibete. The try wasn’t great by any stretch, with some sloppy play involved however the finish between Thurston, Justin O’Neill and Morgan was almost perfect.
While the try was being scored though, in back play about 30 metres out where a challenge for the ball had gone down, Marika Koroibete lost his cool and threw a punch getting him sent to the sin bin.
The next time the 12 men Storm had the ball, Cronk tries to kick about 30 metres out and it was charged down by Ben Hannant. Gavin Cooper got to it first, passed to Morgan and he ran 50 metres to score.
As time went on Thurston began struggling with a leg injury so with 10 minutes to go when he put Gavin Cooper through a hole to send the Cowboys to the grand final he headed off the field.
The final 10 minutes were back and forth and had very little action, however Michael Morgan took control of the team and the Cowboys kicking game was solid.
In the end, the North Queensland Cowboys go to the grand final with a dominating performance and the Melbourne Storm fall at the final hurdle.
The Melbourne Storm host the North Queensland Cowboys at AAMI Park in Melbourne with a spot in the 2015 NRL grand final on the line. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:15pm (AEST).
The Storm have an incredible record in preliminary finals, having only ever lost one in seven appearances. They also have the advantage of having had a week off, after getting the better of the Roosters in Week 1 of the finals.
While it was scrappy at best, Melbourne will be better for the rest and the confidence of beating the minor premiers.
Meanwhile, the Cowboys lost to the Brisbane Broncos in one of the games of the season before bouncing back last weekend to heap misery on the Cronulla Sharks. The 39-0 demolition job gave their attack a much-needed run after an ordinary finish to the regular season.
In team news the Storm swap Tim Glasby and Jordan McLean between the bench and the front row, with Dayne Weston and Christian Welch added to an extended bench.
The Cowboys have no changes from their win over the Sharks.
This is a battle of the Queensland State of Origin playmakers, Cooper Cronk versus Johnathan Thurston. Thurston will be backed up by Michael Morgan, Lachlan Coote and Jake Granville, while Cronk has Cameron Smith, Blake Green and Cameron Munster.
Thurston and his Cowboys could well win this battle, and if they do the game is likely their’s as well.
Incredibly, the Cowboys have only won one game in Melbourne since 2001. This coupled with a horrendous record overall against the Storm – just nine wins from 29 games – will have their fans a little worried.
However North Queensland have won their only clash against the Storm in finals football.
Prediction
The Cowboys just have too much creativity, and the Storm will finally realise they needed Billy Slater to go the distance.
Still, this is going to be one epic game.
Cowboys by 8.
Join The Roar for live coverage from 7:15pm (AEST) and don’t forget to comment if you’re following along.
Follow Scott on Twitter @sk_pryde
KeithL
Guest
Cowboys deserved the win, JT and Matt Scott were both on fire. I'd like them to win but it depends on how JT pulls up these next few days and Bronco did look great last night. Storm went missing again when the game matters, it's like panic station in the second half. And yes, Munster had been good for us for all the games he played this year, but I think we definitely missed Billy. The only silver lning for me with the Storm tonight are some new set play, especially the one off scrum. Too bad won't be seeing it again until next year, wonder when it'll be copied by the other teams.... Good luck Cowboys! Hope it'll be a great game next Sunday.
Griffo 09
Roar Rookie
He's been carrying something for a few weeks, I'm sure of it, but he's just so good. He wasn't kicking well in round 26 against the Titans and he went off early. He'll be up for next week but very sore by the end of it. I think that he might have surgery soon after the grand final and may miss the tour to England.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Thurston has won a Premiership with the Bulldogs in 2004. This opportunity though has been the one he's sought since the Cows last appearance in the Dance in 2005.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
.we look a bit weak moving forward. The Cowbies have had a few hard games in a row and the Bronc's are rightly the favourite to take it out. Wouldn't you agree.
Emcie
Roar Guru
Said it was just a cork
up in the north
Roar Rookie
My biggest concern at the mo is how bad is JT's issue. He kicked poorly with his first chance and by the seventieth minute he was hobbling. I have a horrible feeling that JT will once again be on the sidelines when his team win a grand final.
Scott Pryde
Expert
I would imagine it would be a jovial mood up in the north tonight mate? It's an interesting point though. Grand Finals could well be in Queensland, well some of them when the current deal with ANZ expires. Suncrop is incredible but maybe needs a bigger capacity. And thanks mate, one game to go now! Been a pleasure.
NQ Cowboy
Guest
Great game by the Cowboys to win away again like they have done all season. The Broncos will be the favourite next week but the Cowboys won't fear them. There is plenty of room on the Cowboys bandwagon for the New South Wales and Melbourne Storm fans. All aboard. Yee hah!
up in the north
Roar Rookie
Well that was an excellent result. This whole thing about two Queensland teams playing in the Grand Final in Sydney. Well I mean where else would they play. Another great job scotty.
NQ Cowboy
Guest
Haha. I'm not a fan of Gould but I think you've missed his point MJB.
Ron Swanson
Guest
Well played JT. Deserve a premiership more than Michael Hancock impersonator Justin Hodges, who should be suspended & Darius Bennett.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
Well that was an excellent result. This whole thing about two Queensland teams playing in the Grand Final in Sydney. Well I mean where else would they play. Another great job scotty.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thanks for joining me here tonight on The Roar for our live coverage of the second preliminary final of the 2015 NRL Season as the North Queensland Cowboys advanced to the grand final with a dominant victory over the Melbourne Storm. Next week they will take on the Brisbane Broncos in the biggest game of the season. Who will take out the NRL Grand Final for 2015? In the meantime though, the Dally M Medal is being decided on Monday Night and I will be live here on The Roar to bring you coverage of the ceremony from 8:15pm (AEST). Until then, Enjoy the rest of your evening.
Scott Pryde
Expert
FULLTIME: Melbourne Storm 12 North Queensland Cowboys 32 The North Queensland Cowboys have joined the Brisbane Broncos in booking their place for the now all Queensland 2015 NRL Grand Final after a commanding and dominating 20 point victory over the Melbourne Storm. In an exceptionally high quality game of rugby league for the most part, the Cowboys dominated right throughout with the exception of a small period in the first half where the Storm turned up the heat and made the Cowboys really work hard to stay in the game. Right from the gun though, The Cowboys looked the better side. Their creative combination and the other big three in the NRL of Johnathan Thurston, Michael Morgan and Lachlan Coote turned on an absolute master class, one that the Storm couldn't stop or do anything about as shown by the final score. At times, it did seem the Cowboys were a little indecisive in attack however, they stuck out any tough periods and came up with the goods. The Storm, by no stretch of the imagination played poorly tonight. Elements of their game certainly let them down and Cooper Cronk was no where near his normal self, particularly when it came to his kicking game. The first half though, was one of the best you are likely to see and as such it was close at the break. The Storm's best player by the length of the straight was Cameron Munster who made nearly 30 runs and looked dangerous every time he touched the ball while he hardly made a mistake at the back. Where the Cowboys really won it though was their dominance in the forwards. Led by Matt Scott, Jason Taumalolo and Jason Tamou and eventually backed up from the bench by Scott Bolton and Ben Hannant they out muscled the Storm's forwards for the most part which made things easy for Thurston, Mogran and Coote. The scoring opened up in the 9th minute with Cooper Cronk crossing off a Cameron Smith pass, and a step that fooled both Thurston and Coote in defence. After dominating the first 10 minutes, the Cowboys would have been feeling worried letting in a try on basically the Storm’s first romp down the field. The Cowboys would bounce back five minutes later through Justin O’Neill off a perfectly executed Thurston grubber which drew in the defenders and he was able to just drop it behind the line. Justin O’Neill grabbed a double just six minutes later with a beautiful flat pass from Thurston putting him through a hole. The Storm hit back and got the lead back through Tohu Harris with just five minutes to go in the first half off a perfect short ball from Cooper Cronk. However, the Cowboys landed a huge blow on the stroke of half time with Gavin Cooper scoring out wide off a Johnathan Thurston kick that was flat and fast and left Matt Duffie completely outnumbered. At half time, the Cowboys held a four point advantage and while they were on top of the game, certainly weren't totally dominating the game. After the break, the game went back and forth for quite a while and the longer it went on the more you felt that the Storm had to be the first to score if they were going to stay in the game, however it just wasn't to be. In the 54th minute though, the game erupted with a try in the right hand corner to Michael Morgan and a sin bin to Storm winger Marika Koroibete. The try wasn't great by any stretch, with some sloppy play involved however the finish between Thurston, Justin O'Neill and Morgan was almost perfect. While the try was being scored though, in back play about 30 metres out where a challenge for the ball had gone down, Marika Koroibete lost his cool and threw a punch getting him sent to the sin bin. The next time the 12 men Storm had the ball, Cronk tries to kick about 30 metres out and it was charged down by Ben Hannant. Gavin Cooper got to it first, passed to Morgan and he ran 50 metres to score. As time went on Thurston began struggling with a leg injury so with 10 minutes to go when he put Gavin Cooper through a hole to send the Cowboys to the grand final he headed off the field. The final 10 minutes were back and forth and had very little action, however Michael Morgan took control of the team and the Cowboys kicking game was solid. In the end, the North Queensland Cowboys go to the grand final with a dominating performance and the Melbourne Storm fall at the final hurdle.
Scott Pryde
Expert
No surprises, man of the match is Johnathan Thurston. Match report in a few minutes.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Congrats cowboys, well deserved. They've been the best team in the competition all year for mine and theyve gone up another level to produce their two best performances over the last two matches. They probably should've beaten Brisbane two weeks ago but they just weren't clinical enough.... I think they will be next week though with JT to lift the provan-summons trophy after full time. This GF could end up being the fastest rugby league game of all time.... Congrats to both teams and hopefully they put on a special for us!!
Slickeel
Roar Rookie
Congratulations to the Cowboys. A great year and well deserved. What a grand final we have ahead of us. Qld will be pumped all week. I am tipping the Cowboys to win and give Thurston the premiership he deserves. Go the Cows.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Great game, Cows were superb. Nearly identical scores for both Prelim Finals. This will be a cracking Big Dance.
Zedman
Roar Rookie
I backed The Storm but they chased all game, it's golng to be a rugby league gf, fast and no wrestling, should be a ripper.
jamesb
Guest
Cowboys achieved a bigger win this week. Brisbane 31 Roosters 12 Storm 12 Cowboys 32