North Queensland Cowboys

Storm power into preliminary finals

A big second half from the home side saw them move to within one win of a grand final berth, as North Queensland will now host Brisbane next weekend in a rematch of last year's decider.

An early second half try to prop Jesse Bromwich would give the Storm a lead they wouldn’t relinquish, as the Storm would quash the demons of last year's preliminary final loss to the Cowboys.

The opening 40 turned out to be a game of two halves, as Melbourne took it to the Cowboys from the outset and dominated the opening 20 minutes.

Cowboys re-sign two players

Both 25, the pair will be at the club for a further two seasons, until the end of 2018, their re-signings following on from recent contract extensions for Lachlan Coote, Antonio Winterstein and Kane Linnett.

"It's a huge boost to be able to sign both those guys, (who are) probably just about coming into the prime of their careers,” said coach Paul Green of the signings. “It’s really good news for the club."

O'Neill is in his second season with the Cowboys and has found a home at right centre, scoring 20 tries in his 40 matches for North Queensland.

Battered Broncos brave in defeat

This comes after a head knock kept him out of the second half of Friday night's 19-18 NRL Telstra Premiership loss to the Cowboys.

It was carnage on the Brisbane bench, with Corey Parker the sole available interchange at one point in the game's latter stages.

Oates (concussion), hooker Andrew McCullough (shoulder), bench prop Jarrod Wallace (elbow) and centre Jack Reed (head knock) all suffered injury setbacks amid a thrilling, topsy-turvy second half.

Murray to be honoured at World Club Challenge

Murray, who passed away in 2013, enjoyed successful stints at both clubs, guiding Leeds to a Challenge Cup victory over the London Broncos in 1999 before leading North Queensland between 2002 and 2008 which included a grand final appearance in 2005.

In a statement released by the Rhinos, club chief executive Gary Hetherington spoke of how highly Murray was viewed by the Yorkshire club.

Green to concentrate on Cowboys

While coaching the Maroons remains a career goal of Green’s, he said the timing wasn’t right to take up the role next year.

“I am extremely flattered by the QRL’s interest in me coaching the Maroons. I’m humbled by the overtures and coaching the Maroons is something I am hugely passionate about,” said Green, who played seven Origin games for Queensland from 1999-2001.

“I’ve decided to concentrate on coaching the Cowboys in season 2016, putting all my energies into having another successful season.