NRL: Never-say-die spirit key for Cowboys

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 04: Cowboys fans celebrate winning the 2015 NRL Grand Final match between the Brisbane Broncos and the North Queensland Cowboys at ANZ Stadium on October 4, 2015 in Sydney

In a season punctuated by come-from-behind North Queensland wins, the Cowboys have credited their unfailing self-belief in finally delivering the NRL premiership to Townsville.

As the final seconds wound down in Sunday's decider at ANZ Stadium, it looked as though Brisbane's defence would win the day. That was before a clutch play from Michael Morgan produced a post-siren try to Kyle Feldt to tie up the scores at 16-all.

Johnathan Thurston's conversion hit the post to send the game into extra-time, before the Clive Churchill medallist nailed a field goal from close range to claim a 17-16 win before 82,758 fans in one of the greatest grand finals in history.

The Cowboys made an art this year of running down teams from behind and coach Paul Green said Sunday's win was evidence of that.

"The way we won says a lot about how we have gone about things this year, that end was fitting, that fighting spirit, we know we are never out of a game and tonight was no different," Green said. "They have showed that fighting spirit all year."

Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett, who suffered defeat in his first grand final as head coach in eight attempts, said he didn't feel like a loser.

"Someone's got to lose, at the end of the day we got beaten by a field goal," he said. "Do we feel beaten? No, we don't. Are we disappointed? Yes, we are."