That was predictably ridiculous. For the fourth time in five matches, Brisbane and North Queensland needed extra time to settle their majestic dispute. Once again, the peerless Johnathan Thurston would stand and deliver for his Cowboys.
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Thurston golden point seals epic victory
Jonathan Thurston once again broke Brisbane hearts with a golden point drop goal.
As rivals, these teams are officially unrivalled. After 80 minutes at Suncorp Stadium, in front of 47,000 fans, the scores were locked at 20-20 in a result that shocked precisely nobody. Modern history proves that's just not enough time.
Brisbane halfback Ben Hunt was wonderful but gave field goal duty to Anthony Milford, who had a pair of shots blocked in extra time, the second by the monstrous Jason Taumalolo, an unstoppable force yet again with 231 running metres and one crucial block.
The Cowboys had barely touched it in the added time but Thurston needed only one half-decent look. On a night where he surpassed 2000 NRL points, the last one was the most telling. Over it went for a 21-20 win and his greatness as a footballer takes on yet another layer.
Brisbane would concede their first loss to the Cowboys in Brisbane in their past five meetings and did have some good fortune along the way, with a try off a forward pass ensuring they stayed in the contest.
But the Cowboys, ravaged by injuries for much of the night, earned this the hard way. And for all Hunt and Milford's undoubted abilities, they had the right man for the job when the lid on yet another thriller needed to be hammered shut.
Paul Green was relieved and proud after the game but the win came at a high cost. Maroons and Kangaroos prop Matt Scott has been sent for scans on a potential ACL.
"Until we have scans we won't be able to confirm that. He's definitely got a knee injury," Green said.
"I don't think I've ever been involved in a tougher win. You don't have a performance like that if you don't care about your team-mates, care about the jersey. We made a really big statement. I know it's come as a cost. But while we have that sort of attitude, we'll be in any game."
Brisbane lost on points but did manage to land the first jab, with James Roberts flying through after seven minutes as Ben Hunt laid it on a silver platter with a classy grubber. Already, Dragons fans are salivating at their new signing.
Cowboys winger Antonio Winterstein left in the 13th minute with a suspected broken arm, bringing Coen Hess into the fray. The winger would be gone for the game but Hess soothed the blow when he somehow power over after 19 minutes, carting four Broncos over as he slammed it down for a 6-4 lead.
Brisbane backrower Alex Glenn was only just cleared of concussion but would have been seeing stars after being absolutely ironed out by the monstrous figure of Taumalolo right in front of the Cowboy posts.
It was ruled a shoulder charge and Taumalolo may have a case to answer on review. Either way, Milford had little issue slotting the penalty, then another minutes later, as Brisbane lead 8-6 deep in the first half.
Leveler: Jordan Kahu's try tied the game in the second half. Photo: Getty Images
There was more to come. Hunt was proving a huge handful and poked through another perfect kick into the Cowboys in-goal. Glenn was clearly taken out by Hess in the chase but it mattered little as Boyd strolled through to make it 14-6 near the break.
It seemed to be all Brisbane. Their young pack was winning the contacts and had more energy around the middle, which is why Michael Morgan's soft try under the posts, a minute before the break, was a gift for the Cowboys as they went to the sheds just two down.
The turnaround continued just two minutes into the second half, when Jake Granville was gifted a try after Jordan Kahu spilled a bomb on his line. North Queensland's hooker simply scooped it up to score unopposed against his former club.
Brisbane needed a spark and it came from Roberts. He found space in the 54th minute before unleashing Kahu on the right wing to make it 18-18. The score counted but the pass was clearly forward and should have been spotted by the sideline official.
Too big, too strong: Coen Hess powers his way over the line for North Queensland's opening try. Photo: Getty Images
The Cowboys put their nose in front with a Thurston penalty, while Brisbane would need to play the final 15 minutes without key backrower Matt Gillett, who failed his concussion test and was ruled out.
Hess would infringe in the ruck and give Milford a shot to level scores at 20 with seven minutes on the clock. His aim was true and in the least surprising development of the fledgling season, extra time was on the cards.
Thurston had the first field goal attempt with two minutes on the clock in regular time. It went high but wide as Brisbane sighed with relief. Brisbane couldn't fire one in return and once again, 80 minutes wasn't enough to split these wonderful modern adversaries.
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