SO CLOSE, BUT STILL SO FAR
ANOTHER slice of home town heartache has put the Cowboys’ slim finals hopes on the brink of extinction after another late refereeing decision went against them in last night’s 7- 6 loss to Melbourne.
In Johnathan Thurston and Cameron Smith’s final regular season game against each other, it was the Storm skipper who emerged victorious as the Cowboys plummeted to a 3- 9 record.
It’s becoming increasingly unlikely they won’t play each other again as the Cowboys’ September hopes took another huge blow in the grand final rematch.
A crucial error from Cowboys fullback Michael Morgan, where he failed to find touch after the hosts received a penalty, put Melbourne in position to take the lead through a Cameron Munster field goal with eight minutes left.
Three minutes later, after his field goal attempt was charged down, Morgan found space to score but the video referee correctly ruled teammate Jason Taumalolo had impeded Storm forward Dale Finucane’s attempt to tackle him.
It comes just six days after an afterthe- siren penalty goal condemned the Cowboys to heartache against Souths when Jake Granville was ruled offside.
The Cowboys have now plummeted to a 3- 9 record after a fifth loss in seven home games this year, and their finals hopes appear near buried.
“When we’re going through a down period, I thought over the last month our effort has been enormous from our blokes,” Cowboys coach Paul Green said.
“We can’t get a break and we’re stuck in our heads at times. You see guys who have more talent and decision making ability ( than they’re showing), they’re second guessing themselves.
“In moments when the game came our way, we weren’t ruthless enough to take it.”
Their injury woes in the front row took another hit when Scott Bolton did not return after he left the field clutching his midsection in the first half.
It’s another unwanted blow to North Queensland’s pack with props John Asiata ( pectoral) and Jordan McLean ( foot) already out long term, while Gavin Cooper, Matt Scott could be unavailable next week through State of Origin selection.
Melbourne prop Sam Kasiano looks set to front the judiciary after he was placed on report for a late hit on Thurston just before the break which Immortal Andrew Johns dubbed a “dog shot” on Channel Nine. And Storm back rower Felise Kaufusi’s expected Origin debut for Queensland is in jeopardy after he was placed on report for dangerous contact to Matt Scott’s left leg in the second half. In a largely dour affair, the Storm put first points on the board when Smith darted over from dummy half seven minutes before half- time.
A Storm penalty goal after halftime extended the visitor’s lead to 6- 0. After wasting opportunities earlier In the match, the Cowboys’ kicking game finally found its mark when a Te Maire Martin crossfield kick was finished off by Kyle Feldt in the right corner. Thurston nailed the sideline conversion to level scores at 6- all with 25 minutes remaining. After Munster nailed his onepointer, Thurston had a chance to level things late but his attempt sailed well right of the uprights.