LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
In a fiery clash up in Townsville, the North Queensland Cowboys have bulldozed their way into the semi-finals with a nail-biting victory over the Newcastle Knights at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
The game was a real seesaw battle, with the Cowboys struggling to find their footing in the first half against the Knights, who were led by the mesmerizing talent of Kalyn Ponga.
However, in a classic case of coming from behind, the home team turned on the afterburners in the second half, scoring four out of the final five tries to clinch the win.
The opening try came from the Cowboys' speedster Kyle Feldt in the 13th minute, but they couldn't quite find their rhythm in the first half, with the Knights pulling ahead with tries from Jayden Brailey and Fletcher Sharpe, giving them an early eight-point lead.
But momentum shifted in the second half, with Murray Taulagi and Jordan McLean crossing over for the Cowboys, putting them in the driver's seat and ultimately securing the win.
Despite Ponga's magical touches, it was Dearden's Cowboys who showed true grit and determination to come out on top in this thrilling clash of titans.
The Cowboys may have started off slow, but they finished strong, proving once again that in rugby league, it's not how you start, but how you finish that counts.