It is no surprise long-time critic Wayne Bennett is still not an extra-time fan after Brisbane’s 21-20 golden-point loss to North Queensland in another NRL Queenslander derby classic.
But what raised eyebrows was North Queensland co-captain Johnathan Thurston’s support of Bennett’s stance after Friday night’s thriller.
For the fourth time in five games, the derby was decided in extra-time.
And once again it was Thurston who proved the difference, kicking an 88th minute match-winning field goal in front of 47,703 delirious Suncorp Stadium fans.
“That’s the tragedy of golden point. We deserved a point here tonight – we didn’t deserve to come away with nothing,” Bennett said.
Surprisingly, man of the moment Thurston not only agreed with Bennett – he proposed his own system.
“I think it is a bit unlucky for the team that loses (in extra-time),” he said.
“Someone who gets flogged by 40 gets no points and someone who draws after 80 minutes gets no points.”
Thurston believes he has come up with a fairer system.
“After 80 minutes and it’s a draw both teams get one point and whoever wins in golden point gets an extra point,” he said.
“I think that would be fairer. That’s just my personal opinion.
“I am just glad we are on the right side of the scoreboard.”
Bennett has been extra time’s most vocal critic and reiterated that the system was “unfair” on Friday night.
“I have always been against it since day one,” Bennett said.
“Someone has to lose that is what it is designed to do but it is just unfair on the other team.
“It is probably more designed for the fans than the teams.
“You can’t get away from the fact that a well-earned draw is deserving of accolades for both teams.”
Cowboys coach Paul Green wondered what all the fuss was about.
“Why are we talking about it?” Green said.
“These are the rules we are playing under.
“The off season is the time to decide that stuff – rules are rules, let’s get on with it.”
Reckon you can pick the winning team? Build your own dream team with Draftstars daily fantasy and compete on any match. For great odds on the NRL head on over to PlayUp. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
Like most clubs, the Brisbane Broncos have had their fair share of big boppers over the years, many of them legends of the game.…
Who are the hardest working big men in the NRL?
My American mate wants a Canberra Raiders jersey. If someone had told me a couple of months ago that I’d have friends in the…
Derbies are often rated on intensity rather than quality, and that was very much to the fore at Suncorp for the third Battle of…
The Panthers might have the bye this weekend, but that has not stopped them from suffering injury issues, with reports in the Sydney Morning…
Josh Schuster's days at Manly could be numbered after the big-money second-rower was granted permission to open negotiations with NRL rivals. Just 10 months…
