Some would say it was the football gods, others would say it was the football god.
North Queensland 'deity' Johnathan Thurston came up with the biggest moment of the 2016 competition, splitting a Broncos line – which was out on its feet – in the 85th minute, flicking a ball inside for Michael Morgan's game-winning try.
At 20-18 down, the Cowboys' back-to-back dream looked decimated before experienced Bronco Matt Gillett committed the ultimate brain explosion, tripping Thurston who tried to step inside the second-rower in a last-gasp effort to get back ahead.