Five things we learned from Cowboys 20-18 win over Knights in Townsville

JOHNATHAN Thurston’s class on dispaly and Knights sensation Kalyn Ponga proves a handful on his return from injury - five things we learned from the Cowboys win over Newcastle.

Kalyn Ponga was strong on his injury return against his old club. Picture: Alix Sweeney

JOHNATHAN Thurston silences his critics and Knights sensation Kalyn Ponga proves a handful on his return from injury.

Here’s the five things we learned from the Cowboys win over Newcastle.

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Johnathan Thurston assisted the match-winning try. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

1. The suggestion that Johnathan Thurston has played a season too long is ridiculous. Thurston isn’t the zippy Dally M genius of 2015 but he is still a match-winner. The Cowboys champion had a hand in three tries last night and scored one himself to ignite a gutsy upset of the Knights. He is still giving everything.

2. Cowboys monster Jordan McLean came through unscathed in his return from a foot injury. Playing his first game in 16 weeks, McLean was gassed at times but ran with gusto, amassing 94 metres and 32 tackles.

The Cowboys welcomed back Jordan McLean from injury. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

3. Gavin Cooper had the most bizarre night of his NRL career. For 77 minutes, he was woeful, making three dismal handling errors and largely looking off the pace. But with the game on the line, Cooper was in the right place at the right time to plunge the dagger into the Knights.

Kalyn Ponga was strong on his injury return against his old club. Picture: Alix Sweeney

4. Knights sensation Kalyn Ponga looked sharp in his return from a hamstring injury. The Maroons young gun wasn’t at his electric best but he was still a handful, making eight tackle busts and running for 154 metres.

Justin O'Neill played one of his best matches of the season. (AAP Image/Michael Chambers)

5. Justin O’Neill has had a nightmare season but he turned back the clock last night. The premiership-winning flyer made a team-high 134 metres, three tackle busts, two line breaks and produced the grubber kick for Johnathan Thurston’s 53rd-minute try.