Kane Linnett the most relieved man in Australia

THIS man was the most relieved Cowboy of them all after a grand final performance from hell but he was on the receiving end of a ripping sledge post-game.

“OH no!”

You could see Johnathan Thurston mouth the words in exasperation. The look in his eyes was one of utter disbelief.

The Cowboys playmaker had been setting up the play all game, continually throwing to Gavin Cooper on the left-hand edge.

But this time he cut out the backrower, and hit his centre Kane Linnett with a beautiful pass instead. With the try line beckoning.

Linnett dropped it cold.

Thurston hits Linnett and he loses it forward over the dead ball line. Broncos now get 7 tackles of their 20m. What a let off!

— Brisbane Broncos (@brisbanebroncos) October 4, 2015

Thurston has been setting that up all night … and linnett drops it…

— Benjamin Everill (@beneverill) October 4, 2015

Linnett has bad hands

— The Mole (@RLW_Mole) October 4, 2015

The Broncos led 16-12 at the time, halfway through the second half, and it would not be until the very last play of regular time that Linnett was able to breathe easily again.

Fortunately for the 26-year-old, the Cowboys produced one of the great grand final tries at the death, and Thurston slotted a golden-point field goal in a finish that will last long in the memory.

Linnett was having an absolute nightmare, making another error late in the game with the Cowboys looking dangerous.

But in a strange twist of fate, he was on the receiving end of a Ben Hunt lifting tackle that would draw a crucial penalty with three minutes remaining.

Kane Linnett is placed in a dangerous position in a Ben Hunt lifting tackle.

The Cowboys made it count and it would be Hunt — not Linnett — that would make headlines for the wrong reasons as the Broncos halfback knocked on from the golden-point restart, leading to Thurston’s match-winning field goal.

Kane Linnett, you lucky boy.

Fans weren’t willing to let Linnett get away with it completely though, taking a shot at the 105kg centre during the post-match ceremony — both jeering him as he accepting his medal at the ground, and mocking him on social media.

Hopefully Kane Linnett doesn't drop his medal. #NRLGF

— Marko Milinkovic (@AusLoafer) October 4, 2015

Watch out for Linnett dropping his medal on the stage #NRLGF

— Bootay Patrol (@TairyGreene01) October 4, 2015

Originally published as Kane Linnett the most relieved man in Australia