Top matches of 2015: 6) Cowboys' golden triumph

Johnathan Thurston and the Cowboys celebrate winning a maiden premiership. Photo / Getty

The North Queensland Cowboys' nail-biting 17-16 golden point victory over the Brisbane Broncos provided the greatest NRL grand final finish in history.

Cowboys captain and halfback Johnathan Thurston kicked the match-winning field goal to deliver the expansion club their first premiership after joining the competition in 1995.

A terrific defensive display saw the Broncos clinging to a 16-12 lead, but Thurston's desperation to keep play alive saw Cowboys winger Kyle Feldt turn the game on its head with a try in the corner with time up.

Thurston's sideline conversion attempt ricocheted off the goal post and the Broncos breathed a sigh of relief, before No7 Ben Hunt spilled the kick-off to hand his opposite a second shot at glory.

Two aborted attempts at a field goal followed before the Clive Churchill medallist directed a wobbly shot between the posts to claim the unlikely win.

Earlier, Thurston had struggled to find a way through an almost water-tight defence after the Broncos got off to a good start with a penalty and long-range try to Corey Oates.

Jake Granville's spark created tries for Justin O'Neill and James Tamou to put the Cowboys in front 12-8, but a rare Thurston mistake allowed Jack Reed to cross to give the Broncos a 14-12 advantage at the break.

Another penalty improved their position early in the second-half and the tension grew as the Cowboys' best efforts were repeatedly turned away.

After 80 minutes, it seemed like it wasn't to be, but the fairytale unfolded late to give the Cowboys their historic victory.