North Queensland Cowboys defy Knights star Kalyn Ponga in all-time NRL finals victory

The Cowboys fought back from the brink to claim a famous victory over Newcastle after Kalyn Ponga went within a whisker crashing the party in North Queensland. RE-LIVE ALL THE ACTION

The Cowboys fought back from the brink to claim a famous 28-16 victory over Newcastle on Saturday night, winning their first finals game in Townsville since 2016.

With scores locked at 16-all in the dying stages, it was an unlikely hero who stood up when Reuben Cotter punched North Queensland ahead with a unique try that pinballed off two legs before it was grounded by the Maroons star.

The 24,861 spectators in attendance endured a lengthy Bunker review to determine whether a try could be awarded after referee Todd Smith saw a knock-on in the lead-up.

Cowboys coach Todd Payten said it was testament to the type of player Cotter is.

“That’s a great example of someone who keeps competing until the play has stopped,” Payten said.

“Reubs (Cotter) has done that his whole career. Some of these tries in bigger games are going to be around kick defence and there were a couple tonight – we gave them one and we got one back.

“Shapes and plays probably aren’t going to be that potent against the good defensive teams, so you’ve got to scrap and fight and scramble and that’s what we did.”

A toothless North Queensland went into the sheds trailing 12-4 having barely fired a shot but it was a true tale of two halves as the Cowboys came out guns blazing.

Reuben Cotter celebrates scoring the winning try. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

Two quickfire tries through Murray Taulagi and Jordan McLean gave the Cowboys a lead they would not relinquish.

Knights captain Kalyn Ponga pulled all the right strings in attack as he dazzled the home crowd, but it wasn’t enough to carry Newcastle to an unlikely victory.

Fans were treated to a true finals performance with minimal errors or penalties, and plenty of time with ball in play.

Kalyn Ponga went within a whisker of leading the Knights to victory. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

Cowboys co-captain Tom Dearden almost single-handedly kept his side in the game with two try-saving efforts before halftime, first chopping down Ponga with a crucial tackle before knocking the ball dead when Tyson Frizell was inches away from scoring.

Newcastle coach Adam O’Brien said it was the period after halftime that cost his side the win.

“The first 10 or 15 minutes (of the second half) we didn’t handle as well as we would’ve liked,” O’Brien said.

“They got a pretty fast start on us and those seven-tackle sets put a fair bit of fatigue and pressure on us.”

PONGA BRILLIANCE

Ponga was sensational in his return to Townsville, constantly threatening the line with his elusive footwork and strength.

The superstar fullback was unstoppable as he toyed with North Queensland’s defence in the first half, busting seven tackles and notching up two try assists and a linebreak.

Ponga gave Newcastle the lead when he broke through the defence and found Jayden Brailey on the inside with a dubious pass to score against the run of play.

Ponga made his NRL debut during the last finals match the Cowboys have won in Townsville, beating the Broncos in 2016 during the semi-finals.

FAILED CRUSADES

Gone are the dark days of the mid-2010s, but Novocastrians must feel like they aren’t getting any closer to a premiership.

The Knights have made finals in four of the last five seasons only to be bundled out of contention as soon as they leave their Newcastle fortress.

In fact, Newcastle has not won a finals game away from home since they stunned the Storm 18-16 more than a decade ago in 2013.

With Dearden’s last-minute try, the Knights extended their streak of conceding at least 28 points to six straight finals.

Dejected Knights after another finals failure. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

FELDT MAKES MORE HISTORY

Kyle Feldt has broken Matt Bowen’s Cowboys club record for the most tries in a season, extending his scoring streak to seven games with his 23rd try of the year.

Feldt has been winding the clock back all season and he saved his best moment of 2024 for the biggest stage.

The 32-year-old winger got his hands on a pass that looked destined to put Greg Marzhew over in the corner, dashing 85 metres to open the night’s scoring.

Feldt is in the form of his life with 12 tries scored in his last seven games.

RE-LIVE ALL THE ACTION FROM THE FIRST ELIMINATION FINAL

Originally published as North Queensland Cowboys defy Knights star Kalyn Ponga in all-time NRL finals victory