I wonder what the St George Illawarra players are thinking now. If they’re still thinking of what might have been, then watching North Queensland’s fairytale run through the finals would be doing their heads in.
If the Cowboys were to win the grand final, it would make their Sliding Doors moment the one to end all Sliding Doors moments.
Even if the fairytale ends in their preliminary final against Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night, it will still have been a jolting reminder that everything that happens in the NRL – no matter how inconsequential it might seem at the time – means something.
Every try, every goal, every pass, every kick and every run. Every minute and every second. It’s all a means to an end.
You’ll recall the Dragons were just 15 minutes away from ending North Queensland’s season when they led Canterbury 20-14 in the final round. Then the Bulldogs scored a converted try to level the scores and backed that up with another to win the game 26-20.
The Cowboys had been waiting since the Thursday, when they lost 20-10 to Brisbane, to the Sunday to find out if they would hang on to eighth place and make the finals.
A St George Illawarra win would have seen Paul McGregor’s men make the eight at North Queensland’s expense.
I’m not saying the Dragons would have done what the Cowboys did and still been alive halfway through the finals series, but at least they would have had the chance had they not failed to better the Bulldogs when the chips were down.
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The obvious tips in the preliminary finals are Melbourne over Brisbane at AAMI Park on Friday night and the Roosters over the Cowboys, and that’s the way I’m going.
I can’t see a good reason why the Broncos would beat the Storm – in Melbourne or anywhere else, for that matter – but while the Roosters should win the other game, I’m wary of that one.
The Tricolours haven’t been playing for 80 minutes. They had to rescue a top-two spot with the latest of comebacks to beat Gold Coast in the final round and then almost butchered a win over Brisbane in the first week of the finals.
They should have cleared out against the Broncos, but instead they let them back in with a sniff and actually trailed inside the final ten minutes before Latrell Mitchell grabbed the win with a powerhouse try.
North Queensland have been playing with enormous spirit. Cronulla really should have beaten them in the first week of the finals, but the Cowboys kept hanging in there and snatched a late win. In Week 2, they out-played Parramatta. They’re getting better at the right time.
The Cowboys are playing like a team that won’t beat themselves. They might not be good enough to win the game, but the Roosters are going to have to prove that.
If the Roosters again drift in and out of the match they’ll be inviting big trouble and the previously unthinkable could happen – North Queensland going all the way to the grand final despite being without Johnathan Thurston.
Cowboys coach Paul Green’s stocks were already strong, but they have skyrocketed off the back of this finals run minus the superstar halfback.
Meanwhile, the man who coached the Bulldogs to that last-round win over the Dragons that kept the Cowboys alive, Des Hasler, has been sacked by his club.
Fortunately for North Queensland, Canterbury found some form late in the season. Only problem was it was too late to save Hasler.
Mushi
Guest
I don't get this NQ are some hoodoo team for the Roosters/Pearce. The cooks have lost what 2 times in the 5 seasons that Robinson has been coach and Pearce didn't play in one of those I think? NQ can definitely win on Saturday night but it's not due to some hoodoo the Roosters have.
Rob
Guest
If you asked me which team the Cowboys had the best chance of beating out of Sharks, Eels and Roosters coming into the finals I would say confidently the Roosters. The Sharks had a bigger team with plenty of football smarts and proven big game players in key positions. The Cowboys frustrated them, hung tough and then looked a more professional team in extra time. The Eels were coming in of 7 straight Wins and a narrow 2 point lose to the Storm in Melbourne while the Cowboys had just played 90min with the Sharks and short turn around. The Cowboys dominated them from start to finish. I think the 3 try's the Eels scored flattered the Eels in the end. The Cowboys were leading 16-6 at half time last time they met the Roosters. The Roosters were award 6 straight penalties after half time from which they dominated field position and possession. If Stuart or Flanagan had been coaching the Cowboys they would have fined a lot more than 10K after the game. The Cowboys will be more confident coming against the Rooster then they were facing the Sharks in week1.
Suechi
Guest
I think the Cowboys are a real chance to get to the GF. They are coming good at the right time and are winning well. Roosters can be hot and cold - and Pearce doesn't like playing against anything QLD!
Darren from NQ
Guest
Funny :-)
chump
Guest
Cronolla sharps did shoot themselves in the foot...
Darren from NQ
Guest
IMO if the Cowboys don't get blown away by the Roosters in the first half, their belief and fitness will win them the game. I'm hoping for another Non-Sydney team Grand Final :-).
AGordon
Guest
If you were picking a GF winning side on determination and guts, Nth Qld would win that comp hands down this year. Unfortunately for them, there are a few other factors involved which makes them outsiders in the next game. Even if the they don't beat Easts, and I hope they do, they've shown what hard work and turning up for each other really means in Rugby League.
Adam
Roar Guru
Even the Storm were a little off in week 1. But while no team has stood out, the teams still standing were better able to graft together enough good minutes to win their games.
FnQ
Guest
I must have missed that game. Did they use four referees or just two?
Nat
Roar Guru
I think Parra played as well as they were allowed to play. Morgan kept the game down their end and all the Cowboys fowards stepped up a gear which shut down their aggressive forwards quite effectively. All halves need space, time and field position but Parra weren't afforded that. Cronulla hadn't played well for weeks. Jimmy seemed disinterested and they fell into 'give it to Gal 3x per set' Should've, could've, didn't. There are no egos in the Cowboys, just hard heads and a young wrecking ball doing what's asked. Broncos had no right to go ahead against Roosters which should concern them. They won't bash the Cowboys so they have to play better and classier. Pearce rarely plays well against the NQ boys. That could be a JT thing but Keary picks up the slack. Linnett couldn't run out of sight on a dark night but he's a big, strong, mature body in front of Mitchell. This one is by no means a given. Looking forward to it.
Matt P
Roar Rookie
A lot of teams' finals performances this year have simply been reflective of their entire season. Personally I feel this top 4 as it's ended up is pretty accurate of the state of the league itself.
Andrew
Guest
The Cowboys are more of a Steven Bradbury. All credit it to them for making the finals and staying in the contest, but so far the Dragons, Sharks and Eels have all just fallen over and let them through..
Womblat
Guest
That's true, a lot of teams have saved rubbish performances for these finals. Even though the scores and suspense have been pretty entertaining, the quality has been a bit shoddy when it mattered frankly, especially from Parra, the Panthers and the Sharks. No coincidence they are history for 2017. Nerves maybe.
Boz
Guest
The chooks will have to play a lot better than they have been. They barely beat Brisbane who put in their worst finals performance in a long time. The cowboys on the other hand seem to be using each game as way to improve. The Chooks will need to start well as the Cowboys will be hard to run down if they jump out to a good lead.
Womblat
Guest
Yeah it's worthwhile remembering that while the Cowboys have really gutsed out a couple of awesome wins, they were lucky to be there in the first place and both the Eels and the Sharks saved their worst games of the year for their last. If the Roosters have a shocker as well the Cowboys will probably eat them too. But I can't see lightning striking four times in a row to give them a premiership. They will run up against a quality opposition soon who will not have a shocker and without the big names to help out, it'll be too much. I think that will be the Chooks, who are fresh off a week's rest, have Mitchell Pearce in great form with big points to prove, and the best front row in the comp. My head says what you say, but I'd really love to see an all Queensland GF.