North Queensland 26-20 Brisbane: Cowboys win extra-time thriller
By AFP
Last Updated: 16/09/16 4:00pm
North Queensland Cowboys overcame fierce rivals Brisbane Broncos 26-20 in an extra-time thriller to stay in the hunt for back-to-back NRL titles.
The Cowboys fought back from 14-6 down at half-time and 20-18 with a minute remaining to take the heart stopper into extra-time with a last-ditch Johnathan Thurston penalty goal.
Thurston then engineered the winning try for half-back partner Michael Morgan late in the first period of extra-time to end the Broncos' season under England coach Wayne Bennett.
The Cowboys, who beat the Broncos in golden-point extra-time in last season's Grand Final with a Thurston drop goal, now face the Cronulla Sharks in next week's preliminary final for a place in this year's decider.
Both teams went at each other in an absorbing struggle with each side having their chance of winning before a 23,800 full house in Townsville.
The win maintained the Cowboys' unbeaten finals record at home to 7-0 while the loss ended Brisbane's six-game winning run and drew the curtain on skipper Corey Parker's 347-game career.
Canberra Raiders and Penrith Panthers play off in Saturday's second semi-final to decide who plays Melbourne Storm in next week's preliminary final.
