IF you want to see rugby league done right, just watch the Queensland clubs play each other.
It’s not opinion. It’s fact. Go ahead, Google it.
The non-Broncos battle for Sunshine State bragging rights between the Cowboys and Titans was a cracking game of footy.
As you would expect of teams from God’s Country, there were dramatic momentum swings, great tries, crunching defence and 80 minutes of end-to-end entertainment.
The fightin’ Titans showed a heap of character. Again.
But those clever Cowboys found a way to win with JT leading the charge. Again.
North Queensland’s Johnathan Thurston in action against the Titans. Photo: Richard GoslingSource:News Corp Australia
As for the Broncos, it was classic Benny in the lead-up to the Raiders clash with the old dog producing a not-so-new trick to inspire his troops.
The Broncos were under the pump after two straight losses and a midweek fat-shaming drama.
So Wayne went to a tried-and-tested trademark.
He moved to divert attention away from Brisbane’s woes by picking a fight with his great mates in the media and creating a siege mentality.
And dah dah … the Broncos produce a terrific, finals-like effort to outlast Ricky’s Raiders.
The classics never go out of style.
COWBOYS. 32-26 win over Gold Coast
Thrills: Just shut up and give Coen Hess his Origin jumper now. If rugby league doesn’t work out, he can appear in “Rocky XII — The return of Drago’’. He is unstoppable near the line.
The Cowboys’ Coen Hess. Photo: AAPSource:AAP
Ethan Lowe stood tall as the fill-in forwards leader. They got their attacking mojo back too.
Spills: Have leaked plenty of points in the past fortnight.
Dills: How good would the post-JT future look with Taumalolo, Hess, Gideon Mosby and Kalyn Ponga together for the best part of a decade? Oh, that’s right, Ponga is gone after this season. Utter madness. Looks so at home in that Cowboys no. 1 jersey too.
TITANS. 32-26 loss to North Queensland
Thrills: Amazing that they led 12-10 after having just 39 per cent of possession and conceding six penalties. Defended stoically early. Never quit.
Titans co-captain Ryan James looks on during Round 4 against the Cowboys. Photo: AAPSource:AAP
Spills: Failure to get out of first gear in the first 20 minutes is killing them. Dropped ball and silly penalties are at the core of the drama. As gutsy as they are, they are using too much petrol early.
Dills: The referees who didn’t penalise North Queensland’s Michael Morgan for clearly interfering with kick chasers in the second half. The Cowboys scored off the next set of six. A potential 12-point swing. Game over.
BRONCOS. 13-12 win over Canberra.
Thrills: Ben Hunt has bounced back to some really good form based on his dangerous running game and rock-solid defence. His kicking game has flowed on from that. Andrew McCullough’s workrate was outstanding as was Brisbane’s willingness to get into, stay and emerge triumphant in the arm-wrestle.
Andrew McCullough of the Broncos against the Raiders. Photo: Darren England.Source:News Corp Australia
Tackled like men possessed. Darius Boyd was also very good. Again.
Spills: Should have gone for a field goal earlier but they mucked around and handed the ball back to the Raiders, who quickly scored at the other end. The Broncos are rocks or diamonds when it comes to the field goal caper. Keep inviting teams back into the contest after doing all the hard yards.
Dills: Seriously, it didn’t occur to the Broncos that Jordan Kahu could kick field goals? The fact that he is a very useful goalkicker might have been a clue.
Originally published as Queensland teams show how it’s done
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