Best grand final – ever!

By TANIA PHILLIPS

TOO often grand final games that are full of pre-game hype fail to deliver, but on Sunday the Cowboys and Broncos turned on a game for the ages. Recognised by fans and pundits as the “best ever grand final”- the only downside – there had to be a winner.
The adage that defence wins premierships looked to be working for the Broncos for 79 minutes and 59 seconds before a magic Michael Morgan flick pass and JT’s field goal delivered North Queensland the trophy – and gutted the Broncos.
A decision made months ago to purchase GF tickets turned out to be one of the best sporting decisions I’ve ever made. I will be able to forever say, “I was there in 2015 for ‘that’ game”.
For Cowboys’ fans it has been a long ride. North Queensland has watched and waited patiently since the exciting birth of the Cowboys; stuck by them through the early trials and tribulations of the club and their involvement in the drama of the Super League war. During those first tentative steps in the NRL dedicated fans stuck by them despite lacklustre performances.
Ten years ago, much was made of the recruitment of a young kid, Johnathan Thurston, who showed plenty of talent but was pigeon-holed by many as a bit of a wild child. Like a young child prodigy the club made its grand final debut that year only to see a Benji Marshall flick pass shatter the dream.
There were those troublesome teenage years as the Cowboys struggled to deliver the wins fans and coaches expected. Rarely a club to appear in the headlines for the wrong reasons, their end of year report card often read “Could have done better if they applied themselves.”
There have been bitter – and much publicised – life lessons delivered in final series in recent years where poor decisions by officials caused much pain. As the club’s main man JT grew in stature, Paul Green took the reins as head coach and demanded the consistency expected of a club on the edge of adulthood.
On Sunday JT and 16 others on the field, a host more who have played during the season and a dedicated coaching staff, delivered the club and the most dedicated fans in the competition the best 21st birthday present – the 2015 Premiership.
Like a well-scripted drama, commeth the hour commeth the man – Johnathan Thurston delivered ‘that field goal’ after Michael Morgan snatched his own piece of grand final history with ‘that flick pass.’
At 21, the Cowboys have come of age – they have their grand final trophy and a captain who has done it all. Finally the planets aligned and the club that has always promised greatness delivered and following the script. JT added Clive Churchill Medal to his growing list of achievements.They will be forever part of rugby league folklore after delivering along with their Queensland brothers, the Broncos, the greatest grand final ever.
The Broncos, captain Justin Hodges and master coach Wayne Bennett had their fingernails on yet another premiership, but the fairy-tale ending was not destined to be theirs.
Their performance in 2015 must be rated a 9. Few expected them to fire in Bennett’s first year back. Their disappointment was raw and real at the end of the game and will take time to overcome. Bennett will ensure they get over the scars but remember the pain of defeat as they focus on next year’s season.
Expect to see them in GF contention in 2016.

2015 – Looking back:
Roosters – Another Minor Permiership but again fell at the penultimate hurdle. Losing key players Tuivasa-Sheck and James Maloney – have the job ahead of them in 2016 but have unfinished business.
Storm – A season of highs and lows. Proved many pre-season doubters wrong. Eleven games decided by single-digit margins. Five of their 10 losses by four points or less. The Big Three, although now 30+ will be back together. The emergence of Cameron Munster and a plethora of young talent indicate Melbourne is in good hands. Expect another traditional Bellamy style season – they’ll be there again late in September.
Sharks – Came from the cellar to challenge for a chance at the big prize. Michael Gordon, the only major departure but have recruited halves Maloney and Townsend. Nothing less than a top four finish for Paul Gallen’s final season with the club. Underrated young backs, tough as nails forward pack, classy playmakers – perhaps that elusive premiership in 2016?
Bulldogs – Season 2015 – No Hodkinson, no ball, poor finish. No new recruits in 2016. No new signings – a new Hasler blueprint? Too good to dismiss but may be a work in progress.
Rabbitohs – Premiership hangover lasted all season (lessons here for Cowboys). Big guns failed to fire. Need GI, need fit and healthy – losing several players including Isaac Luke. 2016 might be a tough season to be a Bunny.
Dragons – Making the finals counts as a successful season for the Dragons. McGregor instilled a defensive work ethic that is often the hallmark of a premiership-winning outfit – must find the attacking game to match. Dragons in waiting Kurt Mann, Siliva Havili and Mose Masoe. Top eight in 2016.
Manly – Fans still coming to terms with missing the eight. 2015 season of turmoil. Manly venture into the great unknown in 2016. No Keiran Foran and a new coach Trent Barrett. Back in the eight – perhaps.
Raiders – Disappointing 2015, another bottom half of the table finish. Rebuilding year done. Success must now be delivered by Ricky Stuart and the team. Blake Austen a revelation for this team.
Panthers – Season decimated by injury. A kinder run on the injury front in 2016 will see them live up to their potential.
Eels – Made snatching defeat from the jaws of victory an art form. Plenty went wrong in 2015 but some signs of hope. New blood in 2016 may herald a turnaround.
Warriors – Deja vu – Another 26 rounds, another mid-season burst, another slow and painful fall from finals qualification. Devastating injury to Shaun Johnstone. Clever recruiting for 2016 – high expectations.
Titans – Season began in turmoil and spiralled out of control. Roster a work in progress. No DCE now relying on youngsters. Might turn out to be the best thing for this club.
Tigers – Started brightly, fell in a hole. Farrah drama continues. Club of discontent. Where to next year – who knows?
Knights – Facing life after Kurt Gidley – new coach – new direction – only way is up in 2016.
So that is it for another season – only how many more weeks until we can do it all again?