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Corey Parker's Top 5 Queensland derbies of all-time
Charles Goodsir • March 19th, 2025 1:01 pm
In honour of the 30th anniversary of the North Queensland Cowboys entering the competition, SEN’s Corey Parker has named his top five Queensland derbies involving the Cowboys and their fiercest rivals, the Brisbane Broncos.
5 - Semi-Final, 2004
Cowboys 10 def. Broncos 0
The first time these two sides met in a final and according to Parker, it was the start of the official rivalry between the two Queensland clubs.
Only one try was scored across the 80 minutes of football and Parker recalls a tense exchange between Broncos coach Wayne Bennett and Broncos captain and Townsville native Gorden Tallis prior to the match kicking off.
“It was the first time that Townsville ever held a semi-final and the place was absolutely heaving,” Parker said on SENQ.
“I played in this game and I was about 22 at the time. It had been about 10 years that the Broncos had this domination over the Cowboys.
“Before we ran out, Wayne Bennett told Gorden Tallis, the skipper in his final ever season, that he was back to being on the bench. I was then told that I was off the bench and I was starting.
“Tallis was looking for anyone to rip shreds off. He was embarrassed and humiliated.
“The Cowboys go on to win 10 points to nil and Matt Bowen won Man of the match. He was outstanding.
“The Broncos era of domination was gone.”
4 - Round 4, 2016
Broncos 21 def. Cowboys 20
The first time these two sides met after the 2015 Grand Final and it delivered. This match began a string of games in which the victor was determined by a single point.
On this occasion in the Grand Final rematch between the two sides, the Broncos enacted sweet revenge thanks to a late Anthony Milford field goal.
“There was this almighty rival between these two sides and everyone from the NRL world tuned into watch.
“Both teams played hard, fair and a similar style of football that everyone was able to love.”
3 - Qualifying Final, 2015
__#Broncos 16 def. Cowboys 12 __
The first of two classic encounters between the two sides in the 2015 final series.
The Broncos and Cowboys finished second and third respectively on the ladder and battled it out for a home preliminary final and a week off in what proved to be a gruelling finals campaign for all teams involved.
“The start of 2015, we had the Cowboys’ measure.”
2 - Semi-Final, 2016
Cowboys 26 def. Broncos 20
The Cowboys and Broncos met once again in a final and once again, both teams delivered an instant classic. The Broncos held a 14-6 lead at halftime but were quickly rundown thanks to two tries to Cowboys centre Justin O’Neill.
A late penalty goal to the Cowboys sent the game to extra time and just as he did in the 2015 Grand Final, Michael Morgan broke the hearts of the Broncos to score an 84th minute winner and end Brisbane’s season.
“This turned out to be my last game and Kalyn Ponga was debuting in this game.
“We thought we could target him and he played fantastic in that game. That’s when he put his name up in lights.
“It went right down to the last play of the game and a flick pass (to Michael Morgan) resulted in a try.
“Game over and the career of Parker was done.”
1 - Grand Final, 2015
Broncos 16 def by. Cowboys 17
Widely considered one of the greatest rugby league Grand Final’s of all time, the Broncos were highly fancied to secure their first title since 2006. History was also on their side as Wayne Bennett went into the clash with a 7-0 record in Grand Final’s.
Somebody didn't tell the Cowboys who refused to go away and hung in until the death. With seconds dwindling, a piece of magic from Michael Morgan saw Kyle Feldt tie the scores up at 16-all. Normally a dead-eye-dick, Johnathan Thurston hit the post with his conversion attempt and meant the 2015 decider would head to golden point for the first time ever.
Broncos playmaker Ben Hunt dropped the ball from the ensuing kick-off in arguably the most infamous moment in Grand Final history. It gifted ideal field position for the Cowboys and Thurston slotted the field goal to hand Townsville their first ever Premiership.
“This is number one easily. I was in a state of disarray. The moment the full time siren went, I didn’t want to be on a highlights reel crying on the ground.
“I didn’t want to show any sign of weakness. It was a terrific game.
“I told a reporter after the game that if that was your first time ever watching rugby league, you would be hooked forever.
“It is arguably the best Grand Final ever played. That game had so many pivotal moments.
“The stage was set perfectly for JT (Thurston). The crowd was near silent and then it hit the post.
“I reckon today, it would be hard pressed to sell, but if you slowed (the Ben Hunt drop) down and you had a Captain’s challenge, they’d find it went backwards.
“It was the ugliest, most awful drop kick you have ever seen. It was putrid.
“All that mattered is that it went over the crossbar and I remember it like it was yesterday. Everything went numb.
“It was one of the greatest Grand Finals to ever be a part of.”
The Broncos lead the head-to-head between the Cowboys 42-20 along with two draws.
Brisbane host the Cowboys on Friday night at Suncorp Stadium.
