IN an incredible turn of events, the North Queensland Cowboys have brought home their second consecutive golden point win of the season in a thrilling 21-20 finish against the Brisbane Broncos.
The Broncos had the upper hand early on in extra time, snagging an extra set of six as a wayward kick caught the hand of a defending player, but it didn’t last long.
Star forward Jason Taumalolo expertly charged-down an attempt at goal from the Broncos, and from there it was in the Cowboys’ favour.
Thurston sent a seamless kick over the posts after the North Queensland unit regained ground, ending the thriller in typical JT fashion.
The finish almost mirrored the two side’s epic finish to the 2015 Grand Final when Thurston clawed his side back to a nailbiting golden point win over the Broncos.
The win wasn’t the only talking point of Thurston’s magical night, either. The star halfback passed the 2000 point mark in his career, narrowly losing out to Origin teammate Cameron Smith in their race to the prestigious milestone.
Jonathan Thurston has to be one of the greatest ever #nrlbroncoscowboys
— Louis Grimoldby (@Louis_Grimoldby) March 10, 2017
What Would Johnathon Thurston Do? Football genius. #NRLBroncosCowboys#wwjtd
— Chris Hartley (@_chrishartley) March 10, 2017
Thurston is a bloody freak. What a game.
— Todd Balym (@balym_GCB) March 10, 2017
He’s done it again. A living legend.Source:News Corp Australia
Returning North Queensland winger Antonio Winterstein lasted just 13 minutes before he left the field with a suspected broken forearm.
Prop Matt Scott left the field with a suspected facial injury with barely 10 minutes to go.
And they will sweat on wrecking ball back-rower Jason Taumalolo after the Dally M Medallist’s 26th-minute hit on Brisbane’s Alex Glenn.
The match review committee is expected to look at his high shot on Glenn that gifted Brisbane a penalty to level at 6-6.
Brisbane also didn’t emerge unscathed.
Test back-rower Matt Gillett (concussion) was lost by the 49th minute, while reserve Tevita Pangai Jnr went down with a hamstring complaint. Brisbane levelled the scores again at 18-18 after winger Jordan Kahu scored in the 54th minute off what appeared a clear James Roberts forward pass. Thurston could be seen arguing with officials after Anthony Milford’s penalty kick locked it up.
Both sides then traded penalties to square it up again at 20-20 with six minutes left.
Brisbane’s Ben Hunt initially looked like the halfback who would nab the limelight.
The besieged No.7 appeared to silence his critics when he helped Brisbane grab a 14-6 first-half lead.
Under pressure to perform since signing a lucrative five-year St George Illawarra deal, Hunt’s pinpoint grubbers set up tries for James Roberts (7th minute) and skipper Darius Boyd (34th).
But Thurston ensured he stole the show.
— with AAP
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