Morgan guides Cowboys to Cronulla annihilation

The North Queensland Cowboys dominated every facet of the second semi-final to take a convincing 39 point win over the Cronulla Sharks on Saturday night in Townsville.

One has to wonder how many respected rugby league experts tipped the Cronulla Sharks after watching North Queensland flex their muscles for the full 80 minutes in front of 21,683 at 1300Smiles Stadium.

For a season where the large majority of Cowboys matches started with opposing teams scoring early and often, the home side were able to lead 12-0 after sixteen minutes as Michael Morgan carved up the Sharks line.

He broke it once by running around Ricky Leutele metres from the try line in the fifth minute and again ten minutes later at halfway and set up Justin O'Neill to score.

Morgan looked back to 100 per cent fitness but his efforts we're significantly helped by a Cronulla side making many costly mistakes.

The Sharks made 15 errors, conceded ten penalties and had five attacking kicks that trickled over the dead ball line to gift the Cowboys advantageous field position.

Overall Cronulla made an extra 114 tackles which gave a firing North Queensland forward pack the ability to play inside the Sharks red zone for the majority of the game.

A major blow was dealt to the Sharks when skipper Paul Gallen was forced from the field with a hyper extended ankle in the 33rd minute.

His courageous return came in the 50th minute but nothing Gallen could do was able stop the onslaught.

A blowout started to feel appropriate in the 31st minute when Scott Bolton was able to charge at an isolated Wade Graham on the try line to easily score and give the Cowboys an 18-0 lead.

Thurston would add a field goal in the seconds before half time to earn a 19 point buffer at the break.

The pressure remained on the Sharks throughout the second half because their fifth tackle and restart kicking, mostly through Michael Ennis, was extremely poor.

Morgan being an opportunist player threw a dummy to his winger in the 45th minute and barged over Jeff Robson to score his second try.

In the 61st minute Antonio Winterstein took advantage of a Gerard Beale deflected ball on a fifth tackle kick from Thurston to score an influential try to grant a 29-0 lead.

A deflated Sharks team at this point went on to concede an addition two tries in the last 13 minutes to Kyle Feldt and Ethan Lowe to reach the inflated 39-0 score line.

This ends a relatively successful year for the Sharks, who were the 2014 wooden spooner's.

The Cowboys will travel to Melbourne and play the Storm on Saturday night for a place in the grand final.

Match Details

North Queensland Cowboys 39 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 0
Venue: 1300SMILES Stadium
Crowd: 21683
Halftime Score: North Queensland Cowboys 19 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 0

NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS (39)
Tries: Michael Morgan (2), Justin O'Neill, Scott Bolton, Antonio Winterstein, Kyle Feldt, Ethan Lowe
Field Goals: Johnathan Thurston (1/1)
Conversions: Johnathan Thurston (4/7)
Penalty Goals: Johnathan Thurston (1/1)

CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS (0)

LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:

3 points - Michael Morgan
2 points - Scott Bolton
1 point - Johnathan Thurston

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary

Welcome to the second semi-final of the 2015 NRL Finals series! Tonight we've got the North Queensland Cowboys at home taking on the Cronulla Sharks where the winner is one game closer to the grand final and the other is eliminated from the finals race. Neither club has tasted premiership success; desperation will be evident from both sides. The Sharks have won both prior meetings this season but are the clear outsiders playing in North Queensland. Can the Sharks experienced, Paul Gallen led forward pack lead their young backline to victory? Or can the Dally M Medal favourite Jonathan Thurston guide his side and impress the home fans? The winner will head to Melbourne next Saturday to take on the Storm for a spot in the grand final. Stay tuned for kick off!

Both teams are on the field and we're ready for kick off. You've got to love the finals footy atmosphere!

The Sharks kick off to get us underway. Big runs from Tamou and Matt Scott, 15 metres each in the first set.

1: Holmes slightly juggles a Coote bomb on his 5 metre line but he retains possession.

1: Jack Bird takes the line on and losses the ball. JT has it and that's a fresh set of six from 25m out for the Cowboys.

2: Penalty conceded by the Sharks. Holding on too long and JT steps forward to set up for a penalty goal from 15m out.

2: SUCCESSFUL PENALTY GOAL NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Penalty goal attempt by Johnathan Thurston successful.
From in front of the posts JT converts. The Broncos did this last week against the Cowboys and the Broncos ended up winning by 2 points.

3: A tragic mistake by the Sharks, they've let Scott burst through their line on tackle zero! He is chased down but not before an offload to Cooper. Cowboys are in control.

5: TRY NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Scored by Michael Morgan. Kick to come.
The Sharks were stretched by fast Cowboys play. On tackle four JT scoots across the field and gets the pass to Morgan with plenty of space. He runs around the Sharks centre and scores an uncontested try. Poor defence from the Sharks.

5: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Conversion attempt by Johnathan Thurston unsuccessful.
JT shanks an important kick to go up beyond a converted try.

7: Another kick off mistake from the Sharks. They kicked the ball over the dead ball line on the full which gives the Cowboys a penalty and possession 30m away from the line.

9: Frantic times and tragic mistakes from both teams now. The Sharks magically hold off a Cowboys set and on fifth tackle Feldt scoops a ball back in play straight to Bird who breaks and passes to Holmes for a 50m gain.

9: The Sharks go end to end and loss possession on fourth tackle. The Cowboys now play fast and look to gain plenty of metres.

9: UNFORCED ERROR NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Jason Taumalolo makes an unforced error.
On fourth tackle Taumalolo drops the ball as he is floored in the tackle. The players, commentators and all the fans need this break to get some air back in the lungs.

9: Finally the Sharks make a good effort to steady the ship and they earn a penalty mid set. The Sharks advance and will get a six tackle set from 20m out.

11: Immediately the Sharks go to their set plays and they looked promising to score. Feki is set up with the ball in a one on one with Winterstein but Feki isn't able to pass him before cover support bundles him into touch.

12: On the follow scrum to the Cowboys tackle two sees Luke Lewis give away a penalty in the Cowboys ruck. They'll move up to their own 40m line to start a set.

13: A penalty filled game to date, this time it's Paul Gallen rushing up and collecting Taumalolo high. A tough call but it remains a penalty. The Cowboys now get another full set from 15m out.

14: Ennis is niggling away at Granville, that's his target tonight.

14: UNFORCED ERROR NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
James Tamou makes an unforced error.
He drops a ball cold on a routine hit up near the line. Now we're already going the other way.

15: Tamou immediately makes up for his mistake. He strips the ball one on one from the forward.

15: TRY NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Scored by Justin O'Neill. Kick to come.
From 55m out Granville gives early ball to a fit looking Morgan who steps past a defender and through the line. He links up with fellow speedster Justin O'Neill and avoids the fullback to score under the posts.

16: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Conversion attempt by Johnathan Thurston successful.
No mistakes this time.

16: Wade Graham appeared to look in trouble in back play. Andrew Fifita replaces Tagatese on the field now, they really need some barnstorming runs right now.

16: Ennis tries a short kick off and the Sharks make it to the loose ball first. A knock on is ruled from the Sharks and while packing the scrum Gallen's chat to the referee earns a penalty to the Sharks.

19: Cowboys make it to the Cronulla 10m line by 5th tackle and earn a goal line dropout as three Cowboys players pressured Gerard Beale to play at the ball. Jack Bird is with the trainer, there's a trouble with his elbow and now he's defending on the wing.

22: This was the first set the Sharks looked confident in stopping the Cowboys from scoring. They are clinging on for dear life at the moment. Big runs will be needed to escape their red zone.

22: Robson is forced to kick from his own 35m line and the Cowboys advance the ball to within 5m of halfway on the kick return.

23: Thurston's fifth tackle kick is a grubber angled left, back in towards the goal posts. Wade Graham knocks the ball on and gains possessions, the referees miss a clear knock on as shown in the replays.

23: A penalty is blown shortly after this and that gets the men in blue to halfway.

25: Ennis takes the fifth tackle kick and from 25m out it almost holds up in goal, however it just bounces out with the ball only 5m away from the Sharks players, even though Winterstein had the ball covered.

26: Cooper runs at Jack Bird and almost breaks him on that one on one tackle. Linnett gets within 2m metres of line but the Sharks were courageous in defending their line and season.

26: North Queensland were too quick in attempting to trap the tired Sharks in their own half. Hannant is ruled to have been in front of the 10m.

27: UNFORCED ERROR CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Jeff Robson makes an unforced error.
A really costly error from the Sharks, a common theme of this half so far. Robson drops the ball cold with no pressure on when he did. The Cowboys are gifted possession at halfway.

29: Thurston uncharacteristically attempts a chip kick on tackle four but the ball is deflected by the Sharks and eventually taken by them. A penalty gifts the Sharks more metres and they've really got to make something of these penalties before in the next five minutes.

30: Only 22m are gained in the Sharks set but the fifth tackle kick rolls over the dead ball line, not good enough to force the Cowboys to play at the ball. Now a seven tackle set starts for the Cowboys.

31: Another penalty awarded to the Cowboys, it's on halfway so the Cowboys elect to kick for touch.

31: TRY NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Scored by Scott Bolton. Kick to come.
Kostjasyn from 10m runs left from dummy half and gives the ball off to Bolton. Bolton runs right around the previous ruck and singles out a Sharks forward one on one on the line. Bolton's too big to stop and Graham gives way. That was a try conceded from fatigue.

33: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Conversion attempt by Johnathan Thurston successful.
This legend doesn't miss the easy ones.

33: A long Coote kick goes goes 60m and Holmes gets into play, is forced back into the in goal but a penalty is blown for a Cowboy giving Holmes a facial. Meanwhile BIG NEWS, Gallen is leaving the field and will provide more on the injury he appears to have at halftime.

36: The Sharks play side to side footy around halfway when they really need metres straight up the field. Last take sees Graham attempt a grubber kick but it's the third time this half a Sharks grubber kick goes dead in goal. That will need to change in the second half if the Sharks can win.

37: UNFORCED ERROR NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Ben Hannant makes an unforced error.
Hannant losses the ball when contacted by the Sharks defence. Now 50m out the Sharks get another good chance to put points on the board.

38: UNFORCED ERROR CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Andrew Fifita makes an unforced error.
Tupou on tackle three attempts a difficult pass and Fifita had no chance to catch it as the play wasn't on.

38: Ennis moments later concedes a high shot penalty on Scott and it's meant the Sharks can't build any pressure.

39: Big metres from the Cowboys get them 10m out on fifth. JT is rushed to stop a field goal kick and his resulting grubber kick is taken by the Sharks.

39: UNFORCED ERROR CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Valentine Holmes makes an unforced error.
He fumbles the ball at the ruck trying to run away and the Cowboys look to counter attack, but a forward pass is ruled. The Cowboys will et the ball back at a scrum.

39: SUCCESSFUL FIELD GOAL NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Field goal attempt by Johnathan Thurston successful.
JT is able to set up for a second effort at a field goal, with no Sharks chasers this time Thurston slots it from 15m out.

39: The early news on Gallen's injury is that his ankle is the issue. He remained in the sheds in the final 10 minutes before half time and we're waiting on more news to know if Gallen will return. The video showed them strapping the ankle heavily so it might be possible he tries to return.

40: We're at halftime in another fast and frantic finals footy match. The Cowboys owned the first half and it was all set up by the Cowboys forwards dominating the metres. The Cowboys have been renowned for slow starts but tonight they started very fast, possibly their best all season and never let up. With Gallen down and the Cowboys up by 19, the Queenslander's have shown no hangover effect from last week's loss to Brisbane. Stay tuned for the second half in about 10 minutes.

40: Gallen's ankle is reportedly hyperextended. He couldn't run before he came from the field and still no news if he'll return, the commentators are suggesting it'll be too hard for him to come back.

40: Feldt kicks us off for the second half.

41: The Sharks throw the ball around extensively and gain 70m on their first set. Bird plays at a bomb when it lands on fifth tackle but JT gets the possession of the ball.

43: The Cowboys come right back with 70m and Coote's fifth tackle kick is a short bomb to Gordon on the right wing. He lands with the ball a metre outside the in goal but is pushed into it. Goal line dropout coming up.

43: Gallen is pacing up and down on the sideline and is attempting to return.

44: The Sharks managed to keep North Queensland out, although a Coote grubber kick gets two lucky bounces to remain in play and force Feki to pick up the ball and give in to another goal line dropout.

45: Gallen gives the thumbs up, hopefully he returns.

45: TRY NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Scored by Michael Morgan. Kick to come.
Speed and power from Morgan. The five-eight runs towards Jeff Robson defending just in front of his line, faking a pass to the wing the whole time. At the last minute he retains the ball and charges over Robson to score. That's his second of the game.

46: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Conversion attempt by Johnathan Thurston successful.
Too close to the posts for JT to miss.

48: The Cowboys were making easy metres on the first set after points. Bird holds down Hannant for too long at halfway and that's a costly penalty to give. A fresh set of six from 35m out for the Cowboys.

48: A knock on from the Cowboys on tackle two is a let off for the Sharks, now they've got to make it 65m downfield.

50: Barba is injected onto the field and with his first touch of the ball shows the ball and dances around Morgan. Barba is stopped by a defender and offloads to Feki but the somewhat difficult catch is put down. Bombing a try some might say.

50: Barba has replaced Holmes and they are attending to Holmes' leg, the suspicion is he's off because of the injury he brought into the game. Gallen is back on the field now.

51: The Sharks receive the ball from the Cowboys set on their on goal line and must get metres quickly.

51: The Sharks return the ball to the Cowboys on the 10m line. Graham makes contact with O'Neill on his hit up, O'Neill ducks slightly into the tackle and contact with the head is made, it looks dramatic. The play is on report and a penalty is given. O'Neill is coming from the field for a concussion test.

51: Gallen and Tamou on tackle two confront each other away from the play but the game continues. They eventually split.

53: JT's fifth tackle option is a simple delivery to Graham. Now on the return set it's a penalty for the Sharks. That'll get them starting a set on halfway.

54: Tamou gifts a penalty this time. The Sharks get to start a set on the Cowboys 30m line this time.

55: UNFORCED ERROR CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Ricky Leutele makes an unforced error.
Gallen passes at the line to Ricky Leutele and it pops up in the air as the ball is propelled into the Cowboys defender.

56: The Cowboys forwards can not be stopped, another 55m from the set. Fifth tackle sees the Cowboys knock a JT bomb into touch 30m out.

58: Gallen looks unaffected while on the field and is giving his trademark effort. His ide makes 50m and Barba's run at the line on fifth comes up with nothing. The Cowboys start a set on the 10m line.

58: Beale gives a frustration penalty away giving a high shot in a tackle. They really can't afford gifting the Cowboys field position at this stage.

59: From the 20m line JT places a world class grubber kick that sits up in goal. The chasers force Michael Gordon over the dead ball line and a line dropout will come from it.

60: Ennis attempts a short restart but it's not executed well, the Cowboys have the ball 20m away on tackle one.

61: Somehow the Sharks keep the Cowboys out on five tackles, but the last may have Winterstein a try and it will be reviewed by the video ref.

61: TRY NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Scored by Antonio Winterstein. Kick to come.
JT kicks the ball right to left across field and Gerard Beale knocks the ball on in the heavy contest for the ball. The footy lands in Winterstein's hands and he dives over forcing Gordon out of the way to plant the ball down.

61: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Conversion attempt by Johnathan Thurston unsuccessful.
From the sideline JT's kick had no hook so it stays right of the posts.

63: UNFORCED ERROR NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Jake Granville makes an unforced error.
Another quick, metre heavy set from the Cowboys but Granville knocks the ball on at the point of contact with the defence.

63: Gallen gets up from the play the ball palming at Cooper and the Sharks are awarded a penalty.

64: The Cowboys look like they want to keep a clean sheet, blocking Cronulla from scoring. Bird almost creates a try by running on fifth but it's only stopped by desperation defence from five Cowboys.

65: Morgan has been taken from the field, probably resting him from here on in.

66: Thurston places Coote a break through the middle of the field, he's brought down after a 50m gain. On fifth Bird plays at the ball and the Cowboys get the ball back for another set of six.

67: TRY NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Scored by Kyle Feldt. Kick to come.
The Cowboys shift right from the centre of the field. Asiata offloads the ball from two defenders, Thurston throws the ball between the legs that goes 20m towards the right wing and Feldt picks it up, bursts between two defenders to score untouched near the posts.

67: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Conversion attempt by Johnathan Thurston successful.
Again no worries, two more points on the board.

68: Ennis has failed all of his many short restarts tonight. That's hurt the team.

69: The Sharks this time manage to gain possession cleanly on fifth tackle and must work their way 90m up field.

69: UNFORCED ERROR CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Andrew Fifita makes an unforced error.
An inexcusable play the ball error from Fifta means the Cowboys get a scrum 35m out.

72: UNFORCED ERROR NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Rory Kostjasyn makes an unforced error.
Rory drops the ball from when a defender makes contact with him 10m out from the Sharks line.

72: UNFORCED ERROR CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Michael Gordon makes an unforced error.
A good run from Fifita on tackle two gets the Sharks momentum, but it's immediately lost as Gordon drops the ball.

72: The Sharks were trapped in the right corner of the field, just inside the field of play. An extra effort to force Barba in goal has brought about a penalty.

74: The Sharks get two sets as the Cowboys touched the ball mid set. They can only make it to the 40m line but there is another full set given to the Sharks.

75: Ennis' kicking game has been shocking all night. This time on tackle two he grubber for himself and it goes dead.

75: Linnett makes a break down the left wing but is brought in. There may be more points before the game is over.

76: TRY NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Scored by Ethan Lowe. Kick to come.
As if there was any doubt the Cowboys would score again. Cronulla were low on numbers defending their line and JT makes a simple pass to Ethan Lowe, who runs a great line between the defence to score almost untouched.

78: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Conversion attempt by Johnathan Thurston unsuccessful.
Considering JT's standards his kicking has been off tonight. That was a mid field kick that was wide to the right.

79: The Cowboys attempt a fifth tackle bomb 20m out and Lewis charges it down. A clean gathering of the ball allows him to gain 30m before getting pulled down. They run to the end of the field eventually but a kick goes too deep in goal.

79: That's full time! The Cowboys will give this competition a real shake when they travel to Melbourne next Saturday night.

80: This concludes the live updating tonight. The Cowboys were by far the more dominant team and were at their best. For Cronulla, they weren't able to match it with the North Queensland forwards, that was the pivotal difference. A match report will follow but apart from that thank you for joining us tonight. For you Cowboys fans get ready for another week of finals football and commiserations to the Sharks fans. Good night!