The North Queensland Cowboys are through to the NRL grand final after a 13-point roller coaster victory over the Sydney Roosters in the second preliminary final at Allianz Stadium.
Against all the odds, Paul Green’s men have pulled off three upsets in a row to book their spot in the grand final against the Melbourne Storm next Sunday.
Michael Morgan again led from the front for the Cowboys. His kicking game was superb from start to finish, landing everything in the corners and ensuring the Roosters back three never had room to move.
It was a Morgan 40/20 that broke the deadlock of a fast start to the game. It was going set-for-set until Morgan put a regulation last tackle kick downfield to get the ball back.
The kick sparked a run of momentum for the Cowboys, who spent almost all of the next quarter of an hour with the ball. While they could only turn it into eight points, the Roosters looked fatigued in defence.
An Ethan Lowe penalty goal got the scoring underway with Latrell Mitchell putting the kick-off out on the full following.
The Cowboys then dominated, before Te Maire Martin put on a show of acceleration and speed to burn the defence and run away to score off a Morgan short ball.
The Martin try had the Cowboys well on top, but the Roosters finally got the ball back and were right back in the contest at halftime with a try from nowhere.
A Mitchell Pearce crossfield kick cleared the Cowboys edge defenders – Kane Linnett and Kyle Feldt – with the ball falling into the lap of Latrell Mitchell who went over to score.
The Roosters were behind two at the break, but an error on the first play of the second half had the tri-colours back on the attack with Connor Watson cruising over to score six minutes later.
It was a topsy-turvy second half though, with the lead changing hands multiple times. Kane Linnett scored next for the Cowboys, before Blake Ferguson scored in the 61st minute off an error to put Sydney back into the lead.
The Cowboys though simply refused to go away. Kyle Feldt scored a miraculous try 14 minutes from time with Ethan Lowe’s goalkicking ensuring they kept the lead, before Michael Morgan iced it with a field goal a few minutes from time.
A Scott Bolton try on the bell capped off a wonderful night for the Cowboys, who advance to their second grand final in three years.
Flying DoorMat
Guest
Storm should win by 30 plus as they wont make the same mistakes /put in a similar insipid performance or have players go missing as the Roosters did - Be an arm wrestle for the first 15 minutes but the Storm will wear the Cows down and run away with it in the second half. Only chance the Cows have is if it rains on Sunday - predicting clear skies and 22 degrees at kick off though.
mzilikazi
Guest
Are you walking out on a very long plank, PP.....I fear you might be...cricket score...mmm !
hindsight
Guest
I'd like to acknowledge the Bulldogs because without their efforts we wouldn't be where we are this Sunday!
Granter
Guest
Mate you should be proud, I rarely admire teams that aren't the Dragons but the Cowboys without Thurston have done it. It's like you blokes have 17 Jason Nightingales; what I mean by that is 17 blokes willing to put their bodies on the line and do all the little things right for their team. Good luck against the Storm.
Raugeee
Guest
Cowboys are old fashioned tough. I was worried that fatigue would catch up with them against the Roosters. They just kept on motoring like a beat up old HQ through the outback. I am predicting Storm by 5 in the GF - it will be a helluva match though.
Fortress
Guest
Hard yards your a legend urself Buddy u are hounest and fair mate I'm on here now after been too passionate for them been a mighty eagles supporter on the thinker two many people think they know it all.christine and baggy thought they ran the show and I was only defending my self anyways I'm glad I left this is more about the footy really love it on here now there was a time I also loved the thinker site but as u know hardhards been a one eyed manly boy it gets a bit of hatred towards you but I will always speak my mind will nevec change and will always love my club and be passionate about them like u are with your cows. Really hope ur boys get up sorry for tipping the storm I don't want them to win mate its going to be a great game buddy the cows need to stay with em all the way hope they get the rub of the green as well and just maybe u will be celebrating for ever good to know u are on here and who knows a mighty eagles and cows grand final in the future wouldn't that be great . Wishing u all the best for the gf hard yards I will be thinking of u and rooting for your boys to bring it home !!!!!!!!!!
Rob
Guest
How did the Cowboys come from 9th? The Sydney media had written the Cowboys off. They do the same thing when NSW win an Origin. They proclaim it's the start of a dynasty. Thurston is not the be all and end all. Truth be told there are some good players in the Cowboys team. They just aren't talked up.
Griffo
Guest
What gives me confidence as cowboys fan is that the attack is just starting to gel with Morgan doing a stellar job at leading the team around the park. We are not sure yet just how good the Cowboys can be and maybe how good that is will be good enough to beat the Storm, but we haven't got a whole season of form to go by, unlike the Storm. What we do have a whole season of to go by is our attitude, discipline and commitment, and that has been second to none.
Griffo
Guest
Switching O'Neill and Linnet to different sides has also been a clever move by the coaching staff. It seems Linnet is much more comfortable in attack on the right and perhaps having the two bigger bodied outside backs on the one side (Linnet and Feldt) makes it more difficult for defenders to mark.
Griffo
Guest
You're a lucky man, Jimmmy. I'll be cheering on the boys in Townsville with a few cold ones. Not sure on the venue yet. Could be the leagues club or the brewery, maybe at home. Whatever way, I'll make myself heard as I'm sure you will at the ground!
hindsight
Guest
Wasn't confident against the Sharks but after that performance knew both the Eels & Roosters were just a formality. Different challenge against Storm but the loss at home to them did show the Cowboys capabilities and highlight chinks in the Storms armour.
Griffo
Guest
Well I'm happy my Cowboys are in the Grand Final and I'm happy we're playing the Storm because what better challenge than playing against the best team of the season for the premiership. May the better team win!
sportstragic
Guest
You bothered to read this article then post a comment but you have no interest in the Grand Final???
Renegade
Roar Guru
The only way to describe the storm-Broncos game if it was a regular season match would be rubbish.... for a preliminary final well the way Bellamy reacted even after a 30-0 win might give it away, it wouldnt be in the top 25 games this year.
Your kidding
Guest
An all Qld grand final!
Dean
Guest
Has anyone heard from PNGbronco? He's been conspicuous in his absence since Friday night.
Gaz
Roar Rookie
Only 28k at the game so your right - not much of the city revolving.
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
You're a genius ! Go Manly - they are going to be huge next year and will win the comp the year after. I - hate - Melbourne. Without a doubt they are the nemesis of the Mighty Sea Eagles. I hope the Cows put em into intensive care. But Melbourne are good. Very good. And they're looking fit; looking strong. But I wonder whether they might have played their GF on Friday night. Now mark me -they won't turn up like that again. A choke is definitely possible. And you won't see me jumping up to perform the Heimlich maneuver.
Darren
Guest
Great comment Jimmy. Totally agree.
Not so super
Guest
Well done cowboys But they beat Easts, the roosters need to get rid of the name Sydney. Typical eastern suburbs - think the whole city revolves around them