Goodnight!
Well that was an interesting night. The headline news was no doubt Johnathan Thurston tearing Parramatta to shreds in his comeback from injury. Can he be worth 20 points or more to Queensland on Wednesday week? Based on what we saw tonight, it is indeed possible. As I said below, he would have sold a few tickets on his own this evening. Matt Moylan went up a rung on the ladder towards greatness tonight with that performance in Bathurst. And I guess the main news out of the first game was Kieran Foran picking up a quad injury as the Warriors actually played well. Big week for me with my book back from the printer and preparing to go into the shops. You can get a copy early here. I've also finally got around to doing a new podcast. It's on autoplay below and you can subscribe here. See you next week!
Fulltime at TIO Stadium, Darwin: NORTH QUEENSLAND 32 PARRAMATTA 6
QUEENSLAND Origin star Johnathan Thurston has hit the ground running in his comeback from a shoulder injury, blitzing Parramatta in Darwin.
Thurston was closely marked - and taken out late a couple of times - in the first half of the TIO Stadium clash but still managed to set up two tries for winger Kyle Feldt.
After the break, he underscored the extent to which he remained unperturbed by the extra attention when he waltzed over for a simple try as his team put their collective foot on the accelerator.
COMMENT: Thurston should be given a commission for the extra Origin tickets he sold with his performance tonight.
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20170708235540im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/w/o/s/c/3/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gwos67.png/1497094811576.jpg)
72 min: Davis NO TRY
Parramatta winger Nathan Davis chases a kick and gets a finger to it but Luke Patten in the Bunker correctly rules that it's no try. North Queensland 32-6. '
67 min: Taikarangi try, Gutherson goal
Parramatta centre Brad Takairangi shrugs off a couple of defenders and ambles 20 metres to tryline. Not much to say about that. Nothing but a consolation effort. Clint Gutherson converts. North Queensland 32-6.
Too strong!@Bradtaka_ crashes over!#NRLEelsCowboys 6-32 with 10 minutes remaining. #NRL pic.twitter.com/NFshg3PdGe
— NRL (@NRL) June 10, 2017
60 min: Winterstein try, Thurston goal
The Cowboys spot a weakness on the short side and Jake Granville gets things going with a quick interchange of passes leading to Antonio Winterstein crossing for yet another Cows try. Lachlan Coote was instrumental. Thurston's conversion is good. North Queensland 32-0.
Back to topNow it's Winterstein's turn!#NRLEelsCowboys #NRL pic.twitter.com/9lyV1dDCrT
— NRL (@NRL) June 10, 2017
56 min: Hess try, Thurston goal
Coen Hess brushes past Mitchell Moses to score North Queensland's latest try. They were competant without Thurston and maybe the period he was missing will be the making of the Cowboys in 2017.The conversion is good. North Queensland 26-0.
Hess scores his 10th Try for the season! #NRLEelsCowboys #NRL pic.twitter.com/CmKz0oA97u
— NRL (@NRL) June 10, 2017
44 min: Thurston try, goal
And as it he wasn't already thumbing his nose at those trying to rough him up, Thurston dummies inside to Coen Hess and jogs through the Parramatta defence from close range to tick the scoreboard over once more. Why do teams take their away games against the Cowboys - who are used to the conditions - to Townsville? I guess the NT government ask for them. Thurston converts. Crowd: 11,968. North Queensland 20-0.
Rule #1 of rugby league: don't take a dummy off JT #NRLEelsCowboys @nthqldcowboys
— Matt Scott (@MattScott85) June 10, 2017
"JT the magnificent!"#NRLEelsCowboys #NRL pic.twitter.com/72e4iUEEqd
— NRL (@NRL) June 10, 2017
Halftime at TIO Stadium, Darwin: NORTH QUEENSLAND 14 PARRAMATTA 0
JOHNATHAN Thurston has been heavily targeted in his pre-Origin return from a shoulder injury but has still managed to lay on both first half tries against Parramatta.
Thurston complained rival Kaysa Pritchard should have been sent to the sin bin for a late tackle and when he was again targeted a minute later by Kenny Edwards, rival skipper Beau Scott appeared to suggest Thurston was given too much protection as a penalty allowed the Australia star to kick a goal.
But Thurston still managed to lay on two Kyle Feldt tries with raking cross-field kicks at the Cowboys grabbed a 14-0 halftime lead.
COMMENT: Yes, Thurston is copping plenty of physical attention. But doesn't that happen every week anyway, regardless of whether he is coming back from a long-term injury?
Hear from @TheParraEels coach Brad Arthur in the lead up to the 2nd half of #NRLEelsCowboys.#NRL pic.twitter.com/39Vj1F59fp
— NRL (@NRL) June 10, 2017
39" Penalty to JT and that's half-time #NRLEelsCowboys #ridemcowboys pic.twitter.com/NUX7rWOevl
— NQ Cowboys (@nthqldcowboys) June 10, 2017
40 min: Thurston goal
Another penalty to the Cowboys in easy kicking distance and Thurston will eat up the remaining time in this half with a goal shot from in front. It was holding down in the tackle, by the looks of it. From 28 metres out and in front it's an easy shot. North Queensland 14-0.
32 min: Feldt try
Its a few minutes after the penalty and Thurston again kicks to the right wing, where Kyle Feldt again fields the kick perfectly and dots down one-handed just inside the corner post. Thurston's goal attempt hits the right upright and bounces out. Now the Eels spill the ball with the line open. North Queensland 12-0.
Back to topThurston and Feldt combine again! #NRLEelsCowboys #NRL pic.twitter.com/WjRJj824Vz
— NRL (@NRL) June 10, 2017
Coen Hess has taken Mitchell Moses late but it's not high - just late. Kevin Walters gets Johnathan Thurston back and must have feared he was going to lose Hess, rated a strong chance of Maroons inclusion, after that. But it's just a penalty. There was a bit of a scuffle there too. North Queensland 8-0.
28 min: Thurston goal
Johnathan Thurston is taken out late by Kenny Edwards and after a second consecutive penalty to North Queensland, they go ahead further with a penalty goal from almost in front. North Queensland 8-0.
28 min: Thurston goal
Johnathan Thurston is taken out late by Kenny Edwards and after a second consecutive penalty to North Queensland, they go ahead further with a penalty goal from almost in front. North Queensland 8-0.
Parramatta's Kaysa Pritchard is penalised for a professional foul in mid-field - a half trip, in fact - and Johnathan Thurston argues he should have been sent to the sin bin. "You've got to take control, mate," says Thurston. Great intrigue here with Beau Scott implying Thurston is getting too much protection. North Queensland 6-0.
Michael Morgan comes up with a loose ball but the ruling is that Semi Radradra was illegally obstructed. However, the replay shows that Radradra was taken out by his own team-mate, Brad Takairangi. The Cowboys just staged a nice raid down the right side on what looks like a spongey surface before play broke down. North Queensland 6-0.
Back to top6 min: Feldt try, Thurston goal
First game back for Johnathan Thurston and he provides a raking kick to the right which is fielded by winger Kyle Feldt who takes it on the full to plunge over. The Bunker flashes the green light and JT converts for an early NQ lead. North Queensland 6-0.
Welcome back, JT! 👏#NRLEelsCowboys #NRL pic.twitter.com/0OvlSOJ83H
— NRL (@NRL) June 10, 2017
Five minutes gone in Darwin. Parramatta 0 North Queensland 0.
Let's have some fun!#NRLEelsCowboys #NRL pic.twitter.com/erYcmnFhtp
— NRL (@NRL) June 10, 2017
Fulltime at Carrington Park, Bathurst: PENRITH 24 CANBERRA 20
PENRITH have scored two tries in the final two minutes to leave Canberra heartbroken due to a late loss for the second consecutive week.
The Panthers looked headed for defeat in the 77th minute, trailing the Raiders 20-12, when second rower Corey Harawira-Naera crossed after lead-up from captain Matt Moylan.
Then five-eighth Moylan handled three times in the final set of the match, culminating in some dazzling footwork and skill to set up the match-winning Tyrone Peachey try with 40 seconds remaining.
COMMENT: Many wondered why Moylan didn't lose the captaincy following some off-field disciplinary breaches earlier this year. We now know the answer.
80 min: Peachey try, Cleary goal
WOW! Penrith steal the game with 40 seconds left! Matt Moylan throws a dummy to the left, sucks in three defenders and then hands replacement Tyrone Peachey a one-handed pass to score. Two tries in the final two minutes! Penrith 24-20.
Bathurst was jumping.
— NRL (@NRL) June 10, 2017
It's now HEAVING!
The @PenrithPanthers win it.#NRLPanthersRaiders#NRL pic.twitter.com/bjiSlONMKD
78 min: Harawira-Naera try, Cleary goal
Matty Moylan puts Corey Harawira-Naera over after feining a pass infield. Nathan Cleary converts. Canberra 20-18.
Back to topCan find the try-line!
— NRL (@NRL) June 10, 2017
Harawira-Naera gets Bathurst jumping.#NRLPanthersRaiders#NRL pic.twitter.com/N0pyBJmA3S
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