September 15, 2014
Former Murgon Mustang Gavin Cooper helped North Queensland eliminate the Brisbane Broncos from the 2014 NRL Premiership race on Saturday night.
The Cowboys’ backrower helped North Queensland gallop away to a 24-0 lead at half-time.
Cooper opened NQ’s account in the ninth minute and then added the icing to the cake when he scored again with two minutes left in the first half.
The Broncos fought back in the second but it wasn’t enough to save their season.
The final score was North Queensland 32, Brisbane Broncos 20.
NQ will now face the Sydney Roosters this weekend with the winner to play Penrith the following week for a place in the Grand Final.
Cooper joined the Cowboys in 2006 after two years at the Gold Coast and two years at Penrith.
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Meanwhile, former Kingaroy Red Ant Matt Ballin is battling injury to return to the ranks of the Manly Sea-Eagles.
Manly faces a do-or-die semi-final against the Canterbury Bulldogs this weekend.
If they’re successful, reports suggest Ballin may be fit enough return to Manly for the following week’s Preliminary Final against South Sydney.
Ballin broke his leg playing against Penrith on August 31.
[UPDATED with correction]
