Cameron Smith 'lost for words' after sensational finish as disruptor call creates controversy in Cowboys win
North Queensland have completed a sensational comeback to win 35-31 against the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium.
Brisbane were already heavily depleted and had to compete with reserve Josh Rogers at hooker for a quarter of the match after concussions to Cory Paix and Blake Mozer.
Former Cowboys youngster Tom Duffy looked like he'd haunted his old side when he slotted a field goal in the 74th minute to make it 31-30.
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Scott Drinkwater evened it up with a field goal from an angle two minutes later to set up a grandstand finish.
The Cowboys delivered the final blow when fatigue set in as they marched up the field. Heilum Luki scored the final try as North Queensland attacked down the left and made the most of a massive overlap to seal victory.
Heilum Luki celebrates his try. Getty
"This is just incredible. I'm lost for words ... the Broncos just ran out of defenders," Cameron Smith said on Nine.
"This has been one of the best games of the season so far, just incredible."
A crucial moment in the match came when the Broncos were leading 30-24 with 16 minutes left.
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After Tom Chester dropped a kick, Brendan Piakura picked up the scraps and scored to make it 34-24.
However, the Bunker was called in by referee Ashley Klein to adjudicate a possible obstructor from Gehamat Shibasaki on Chester.
The Bunker ruled Shibasaki only had eyes on Chester and stopped competing, which impacted the Cowboys centre's ability to catch.
North Queensland legend Johnathan Thurston wasn't sure it was the right call.
"Doesn't his eyeline follow the ball into Tommy Chester's arms?," he said.
"... it's just a clean drop."
Smith agreed the Broncos were possibly hard done by.
"The argument I would make there is Tom Chester had a clear line of sight of the ball the entire time," he said.
"He's entitled to catch the football and he didn't. I can understand if Shibasaki comes through with his arms raised and he goes through the line of sight of the football. But he doesn't even stop Tom Chester from seeing the ball."
Ultimately, the disruptor call created a massive swing in the match as the Cowboys fought back to make it four wins in a row.
