By Joel Gould
Brisbane have staged a stunning comeback in Townsville to thump North Queensland 42-18 and keep their slim NRL finals hopes alive on the back of a blistering display by centre Kotoni Staggs.
The hosts led 18-12 at halftime and bombed a try early after the break when fullback Scott Drinkwater dropped the ball over the line.
But from that moment the Cowboys self-destructed to all but rule themselves out of a push for a top four spot.
Kotoni Staggs (right) has taken the Carl Webb Medal in a dominant display for the Broncos.Credit: AAP
Staggs was sensational in attack and defence and got the better of opposite number Valentine Holmes. His two second-half tries were powerhouse displays of will and skill and he was a deserved winner of the Carl Webb Medal.
The Broncos, who had lost eight of their previous nine matches, moved to 22 points and have the bye next week and three home games at Suncorp Stadium to finish the season. They are still alive in the finals race but can’t afford to lose.
“There was always faith from the coaching staff that we could turn it around,” Broncos coach Kevin Walters said.
The Cowboys, on 28 points, are still on track to play finals but won’t go far if they dish up another collapse like Saturday night.
“It was 18-6 and the game was there for our taking but we just weren’t good enough,” Cowboys coach Todd Payten said.
Broncos fullback Reece Walsh played most of the match with an injured right hand but had key moments of sheer class in a brave display.
“I thought it was Reece’s best team game for us in a long time,” Walters said.
“Our captain [Adam Reynolds] led us beautifully.”
The Broncos started fast and prop Corey Jensen plunged over against his former club for his first try since round 16 in 2017.
Cowboys co-captain Tom Dearden took the line on and with sheer determination dummied and powered his way over.
Half Chad Townsend threw a looping cut-out pass to maestro finisher Kyle Feldt to score in the corner.
Townsend then put up a kick and the ball was allowed to bounce. Centre Viliami Vailea swooped and it was 18-6 to the Cowboys. They didn’t score again.
The Cowboys got loose in attack and Walsh made them pay with an injection and pass for centre Deine Mariner to swerve and race 40m to score on the cusp of halftime.
The Broncos owned the second half.
Five-eighth Josh Rogers put up a bomb and Walsh put pressure on Drinkwater who dropped the ball. Rogers scored and it was 18-all.
Staggs stood up Holmes from a scrum to score a scintillating try and put the Broncos ahead.
When Walsh kicked for Jordan Riki to score under the sticks the visitors led 30-18. Staggs scored his second by refusing to be tackled to put the Cowboys out of their misery.
The hosts bad night was compounded when they lost forward Jeremiah Nanai to concussion in the first half.
AAP