The North Queensland Cowboys beat the Storm 32-12 in Melbourne on Saturday night to join the Brisbane Broncos in the first all-Queensland National Rugby League grand final.
The Cowboys' playmaker Johnathan Thurston. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Led by captain Johnathan Thurston, the Cowboys overturned an early 12-10 deficit to score 22 unanswered points and run out easy winners.
The Cowboys produced a brilliant display of running rugby league, scoring six tries, two each from Justin O'Neill, Michael Morgan and Gavin Cooper.
Thurston landed four conversions before leaving the field early with a sore groin but said he was not in any doubt for the grand final, which will take place at Sydney's Olympic stadium next Sunday.
"It's just a little bit of a cork to the groin, nothing too serious," Thurston said after the match.
"It's good to see two Queensland sides there at the big dance. They (Brisbane) were impressive last night, we will have to play our best football to beat them."
Brisbane booked their place in the grand final on Friday by beating the Sydney City Roosters 31-12.
The Broncos will likely go into the grand final as heavy favourites, having won six previous Premierships.
The Cowboys have never won the title and their own previous appearance in the grand final was a decade ago, in 2005.
